The Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP) has called for a long-term plan to expand Northern Ireland’s nursing home capacity after the Minister of Health confirmed that it is “not possible to provide a definitive timeline for expansion of nursing care home capacity at a regional level”.
Responding to Assembly Questions from SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan, Minister Mike Nesbitt stated that future expansion depends on “provider capacity, workforce availability, regulatory requirements, and financial sustainability”. He added that current efforts are focused on “stabilising existing provision and maximising the use of available capacity”, while continuing to identify opportunities for development.
The Minister also outlined measures being progressed by the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Trusts and independent sector providers to support nursing home capacity. These include ongoing engagement with providers, financial uplifts, the Care Home Discharge Assessor model, a Regional Care Home Capacity App and work on a revised Regional Care Home Contract.
Responding to the Minister’s answers, IHCP Chief Executive Pauline Shepherd said:
“The Minister has confirmed that there is no definitive timeline for expanding nursing home capacity across Northern Ireland. That leaves uncertainty about when additional capacity will become available to meet growing demand.
“We welcome the Department’s continued partnership with independent providers and the measures being progressed to support existing capacity. However, improving the use of existing beds is very different from creating the additional capacity that Northern Ireland will increasingly need.”
Ms Shepherd said the Minister’s acknowledgement that future expansion depends on financial sustainability reflected what providers have consistently highlighted.
“The Minister states that future expansion depends on financial sustainability. That reflects what providers have consistently highlighted for many years. Without sustainable funding and long-term commissioning certainty, providers cannot invest in new beds, modern facilities or the workforce needed to expand capacity.
“Northern Ireland’s population is ageing and demand for nursing care will continue to increase. If we are to reduce delayed hospital discharges and ensure people receive the care they need in the right setting, social care capacity must grow alongside demand. That requires a long-term plan that gives providers the confidence to invest in additional beds and services.”