Sruthan services to extend

PLANS to keep the Dundalk based residential respite centre, Sruthan House, open were confirmed by the HSE in the Midlands, Louth/Meath area.

The news was met with widespread welcome over the last week, as the potential for extending services was also announced.

In a written response to questions raised in the Dail by Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd, Pat Bennett, Chief Officer for the Midlands, Louth/Meath Community Health Organisation (CHO) confirmed that Sruthan House ‘will remain open as a residential respite service.’

He added that the HSE will ‘in association the Irish Wheelchair Association and those who avail of respite services through the steering group will endeavour to increase capacity from 3 – 4 beds, within available resources.’

The HSE officer explained that plans were also afoot to extend opening hours over seven days.

The Steering Group which was set up will look at a review of the referral process, and complete individual reviews with everyone using Sruthan House.

Among the options also set to be looked at in Sruthan House are the introduction of ‘a range of local non-residential respite options.’

Mr. Bennett said it was hoped to ‘modernise residential respite into future.’

He added that the plans also included developing Louth respite services in partnership with Meath.

‘ The Steering group will commence their work immediately and have a project plan in place in quarter one to quarter 3 of 2020,’ said the Chief Officer.