Decision to shut respite unit ‘brutal’, says Whitehead woman

Pat Torbett, from Whitehead, has been the primary carer for her husband Billy since he was diagnosed with the condition in 1992.

Mr Torbett (84) has received regular respite for the past 12 years at the centre in Dalriada Hospital, Ballycastle.

However, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed the short term closure of the hospital last week.

The measure will be in place until March next year.

“Billy has primary progressive multiple sclerosis which means that he went downhill very quickly,” said Pat, 81. “A year after he was diagnosed he was in a wheelchair.

“He has been using the centre for about 12 years now and we could not fault it; they’re absolutely terrific.

“He has made friends there and the staff know him and know the specialist care he needs.”

Indicating she was “not consulted” about the closure in advance, Mrs Torbett said she was left with a limited number of options for her husband’s continuing care.

She said: “In nursing homes there isn’t the specialist care for those who have MS that you would get at Dalriada.

“The decision to close it is just brutal; they are depriving a very vulnerable section of the community and it’s completely lacking in compassion.

“At the moment Billy is hoping that we will be able to get something sorted out, but I don’t know what is going to happen after March. I have given up hope of Dalriada reopening.”

Meanwhile, the importance of respite care has been highlighted by MS Society director Patricia Gordon.

“Regular, appropriate breaks are crucial for maintaining the wellbeing of carers and people with MS.

“Inadequate respite provision can lead to declining health, increasing pressure on carers and unnecessary and costly hospital admissions,” she said.

The director also encouraged anyone affected by the temporary closure of Dalriada to contact their local MS Society branch for support.