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Four NI care homes saved from closure Eighteen Northern Ireland care homes saved from closure
(35 minutes later)
Four NHS residential care homes in Northern Ireland that were earmarked for closure are to remain open. All 18 NHS residential care homes in Northern Ireland that were earmarked for closure are to remain open.
The homes are: Westlands in Cookstown, Thackeray Place in Limavady, Pinewood in Ballymena and Rosedale in Antrim. Health Minister Edwin Poots confirmed that the 18 homes would remain open in a letter to the Stormont health committee seen by the BBC.
Health Minister Edwin Poots visited several homes in the Northern and Western Trust areas on Wednesday. The closures had been announced last year as part of the Transforming Your Care health review.
The BBC understands that Mr Poots told residents that they would not be moved while they wanted to remain there. Mr Poots visited several care homes in the Northern and Western Trust areas on Wednesday.
Mr Poots told the BBC: "It was very clear to us that the residents wish to stay in the facilities... and we wanted to ensure that, that being the case, we make good utilisation of the facilities. The BBC understands that he told residents that they would not be moved while they wanted to remain there, and their needs could be met.
'Change focus'
Mr Poots told the BBC: "It was very clear to us that the residents wish to stay in the facilities... and we wanted to ensure that, that being the case, we make good utilisation of the facilities.
"I wanted to change the focus to utilisation as opposed to rationalisation.""I wanted to change the focus to utilisation as opposed to rationalisation."
'Reignited fear' In his letter to Maeve McLaughlin, chair of the Stormont health committee, Mr Poots said: "I am writing to the committee to advise that it is my intention to move quickly to reassure permanent residents within those homes.
However, the chair of Stormont's health committee called Mr Poots's announcement "highly irresponsible". "I am clear that existing residents will be allowed to remain in their home for as long as they wish and so long as their needs can continue to be met there."
Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin said: "I welcome the news that four care homes have been saved from closure. However, I think it is irresponsible of the minister to announce this before receiving the report from the consultation on care homes, which finished at the end of March.
"By announcing that these four homes will remain open he has reignited fear and uncertainty in other care homes whose threatened closure led to the consultation.
"He now needs to explain the purpose of carrying out the consultation. Will he still abide by the recommendations if they are contrary to his announcement tonight?"
Last April, the BBC revealed that the Western Trust was proposing to close all its residential care homes.Last April, the BBC revealed that the Western Trust was proposing to close all its residential care homes.
It followed similar moves by the Northern and Southern health trusts, which announced plans to close their homes.It followed similar moves by the Northern and Southern health trusts, which announced plans to close their homes.
The news sparked outcry from residents and their families, prompting a consultation process that ended in March.The news sparked outcry from residents and their families, prompting a consultation process that ended in March.
Subsequently, the health minister said the way the potential closure of such homes in Northern Ireland had been handled was "disastrous".Subsequently, the health minister said the way the potential closure of such homes in Northern Ireland had been handled was "disastrous".
Josie McCann, whose 100-year-old mother is a resident at Thackeray Place, said it was "fantastic news".Josie McCann, whose 100-year-old mother is a resident at Thackeray Place, said it was "fantastic news".
ApplauseApplause
She said she was visiting her mother on Wednesday when she noticed "a buzz" about the home and was told that Mr Poots was visiting to make an announcement.She said she was visiting her mother on Wednesday when she noticed "a buzz" about the home and was told that Mr Poots was visiting to make an announcement.
She said when he said the care home was staying open: "Everybody broke out clapping. All the residents were gathered in the room at the time."She said when he said the care home was staying open: "Everybody broke out clapping. All the residents were gathered in the room at the time."
She said she was happy her mother was "going to stay here for the rest of her days. That worry's not hanging over me that she'll be moved or anything".She said she was happy her mother was "going to stay here for the rest of her days. That worry's not hanging over me that she'll be moved or anything".
Josie also said the staff were "really ecstatic with joy because some of them were wondering if they should look for jobs elsewhere".Josie also said the staff were "really ecstatic with joy because some of them were wondering if they should look for jobs elsewhere".
Margaret Gilbert, who was heavily involved in the battle to keep Westlands Home in Cookstown open, said it was "brilliant" news.Margaret Gilbert, who was heavily involved in the battle to keep Westlands Home in Cookstown open, said it was "brilliant" news.
"I'm just so, so pleased for the residents," she said."I'm just so, so pleased for the residents," she said.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said Mr Poots was keen to hear the views and experiences of residents and their families.On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said Mr Poots was keen to hear the views and experiences of residents and their families.
BBC Northern Ireland's health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "The consultation on the future of care homes ended in March with the minister expected to receive a full analysis from the board within weeks.BBC Northern Ireland's health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "The consultation on the future of care homes ended in March with the minister expected to receive a full analysis from the board within weeks.
"What's still not clear is whether any of these homes will take any new admissions - which guarantees the long-term future of the care home.""What's still not clear is whether any of these homes will take any new admissions - which guarantees the long-term future of the care home."