Staff, patients and service users in the Downe Hospital and Cedar Court Supported Living in Downpatrick were delighted to stop and have a chat with the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, MLA when he paid a visit on Thursday,
His first stop was the Downe Hospital where he met dedicated staff from the Regional Day Procedure Unit and the District Nursing Team.
The Minister was welcomed by the South Eastern Trust’s Director of Surgery, Elective Care, Maternity and Paediatrics, Maggie Parks and District Nursing Operations Manager, Tony O’Connor. During his visit, Minister Nesbitt was briefed on the wide range of procedures and services provided by the Day Procedure Unit. In 2024 alone, the Unit has carried out 2,294 cataract procedures and treated 3,379 endoscopy patients. Additional services offered in the Day Procedure Unit include Electro Convulsive Therapy, General Surgery Minor Operations and an on-call Anaesthetic Emergency Service. A new glaucoma list is also due to commence shortly.
Minister Nesbitt also met with members of the District Nursing Team, who work as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team together with local GPs in the Down Federation. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the District Nursing Service delivers expert, person-centred care to patients with complex needs in the comfort of their own homes. The team provides holistic assessments and care for individuals living with long-term conditions, including Diabetes and those requiring end-of-life support.
Downe Hospital, District Nursing Sister, Cathy Gracey remarked, “It was very exciting for the District Nursing Team to meet the Minister and for him to hear what we do. More people are choosing to have their care at home. We work within a Multi-Disciplinary Team and District Nursing is an integral part of this, so it is important that people understand the role that we do.”
Following his hospital visit, Minister Nesbitt travelled to Cedar Court Supported Living in Downpatrick, where he was greeted by the South Eastern Trust’s, Director of Primary Care and Older People’s Services, Clare-Marie Dickson and Cedar Court Manager, Mark Baker. The Minister took time to speak with staff and residents, gaining valuable insight into the vital work being done within the facility.
Cedar Court is a Supported Living facility which offers 24 self-contained apartments for older people and those living with mild to moderate Dementia. Recently, the service within Cedar Court has expanded to provide supported tenancies for individuals living with a physical disability.
Frank, one of the residents in Cedar Court, was delighted to meet the Minister and said, “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Minister into my home. I am so happy living here in Cedar Court, I have found so many new friends and there is a lot of social activities to enjoy. It is a real home from home.”
Speaking after the visits, Minister Nesbitt added, “The Downe Hospital is rapidly becoming one of my favourite healthcare settings, it has a positive warm atmosphere. I have visited before, but on this occasion, I had the opportunity to meet with District Nursing staff, I would like to see a shift left to have healthcare delivered in the home and this is exactly what the District Nursing staff are doing. It was great to visit to see their enthusiasm in delivering this service. Even though there are a number of challenges, they still remain fully committed.
“It was great to have the opportunity to visit Cedar Court Supported Living. It is a great facility that offers 24/7 supported care whilst providing residents with their own freedom that they can come and go as they please. It was wonderful to speak to some of the residents, including Frank. When I walked into his place, there was a real feeling that this was his ‘home’. He said he felt so comfortable and relaxed and his daughter could stay whenever she visits. He has his own independence and has everything he needs to call his place home.”
Delighted to welcome the Minister to the Regional Day Procedure Unit, Maggie Parks commented, “It was great to be able to show the Minister around the Unit where he had the opportunity to see the Endoscopy Suite and the Cataract Theatres.
“The Regional Day Procedure Unit delivers vital services both for the local population and those across Northern Ireland. The Unit carries out approximately 6,000 procedures every year.
“I am so proud of the staff who are delivering services in the Unit on the Downe Hospital site.”
Welcoming the Minister to Cedar Court, Clare-Marie Dickson stated, “Over the last few months, the Minister has had the opportunity to visit our care homes, Hospital at Home Service, District Nursing and Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Primary Care. This visit to Cedar Court allowed the Minister to see people in their own homes, supported by fantastic staff. He had the opportunity to meet with residents and hear how much they love living in Cedar Court.
“When I see a facility like Cedar Court, I believe these are the type of facilities our ageing population need and want for the future. To be living as independently as possible and for their care needs to be met is so important, the residents feel it is a real home from home.”
