Departments

Learning Disability

The Board has set itself the task of refocusing services for people with a Learning Disability towards community provision. This is in line with the Document “Services for People with a Learning Disability – “A Strategic Review”, approved by the Southern Board in June 2000.

The major focus will be to progress on:

a) Resettlement of People From Long Stay Hospital

b) Provision of Core Hospital Services

During 2002/2003 the Board completed work started during 2001/2002 to determine the future configuration of Core Hospital services in the Southern area. The conclusion reached advocates the development of a Core Hospital providing 16 beds for short-term assessment and treatment. Successful implementation of this model requires the support of robust community services with capacity to support people in community settings, which prevent admission to hospital where possible and or facilitate early discharge from hospital.

c) Community Services

Developing community services must coincide with progress toward a Core Hospital service model. In order to move away from a hospital focused service the range of services available in the community needs to be developed. Significant developments will be required in community staffing, day care availability and increasing the number persons supported in Residential/Housing Schemes.