Fears for MS unit at Dalriada Hospital

THE husband of an MS sufferer says he fears for the future of the unit at Dalriada Hospital in Ballycastle that provides respite care for victims of the illness.

Eric McNeilly, from Cloneen Drive, Ballymoney, says the service currently provided at Dalriada for his wife, Rosemary, has freed up time for himself and without it, his life would become more stressful.

Mr. McNeilly's wife, Rosemary, was first diagnosed with the illness ten years ago and for the past few years has been receiving a care package from social services.

Part of the arrangement is that Mrs. McNeilly is taken to Ballycastle periodically for respite care, something that her husband feels is important particularly as he also has a number of medical issues.

Mr. McNeilly says social workers have been unable to give him dates for the next financial year which begins in April and feels that is a signal that the unit is under threat.

"Normally I would know when Rosemary is due to go to Ballycastle, but social workers say they have no allocations and cannot find out if any will become available.

"Staff are worried about their jobs as a result and think that the MS unit is being scaled down or even marked for closure," Mr. McNeilly told the Times.

He says he has already witnessed a reduction in the numbers going to Dalriada on top of which patients are no longer getting entertainment or social outings.

"My wife goes in there and it's becoming more and more hospitalised. She just sits there bored to tears. There used to be musicians coming in, but unless they do so on a voluntary basis, there's nothing. They also use to take MS sufferers out on shopping trips and visits, but no any more," he said.

Mr. McNeilly has no qualms about the home care package he receives.

"It's the best I can get. Someone calls at our home morning and night and we also have two more visits during the day. On top of that I get a total of six hours a week visits so that I can get out and enjoy some recreation, but looking after my wife is a 24/7 undertaking and it can be very stressful.

"I have had a spinal operation and I'm due back in hospital shortly for a scan. My doctor did suggest that my wife should be staying longer in Dalriada for my own well-being and I am due to see a stress counsellor. If the Unit closes at Dalriada then I don't know what I am going to do," he added.

North Antrim MLA, Daithi McKay, who met the Chief Executive of the Northern Trust to discuss the future of Dalriada, told the Times: "If this is the case, I think this is yet another example, if indeed another example is needed, that Dalriada is being run down by the Northern Trust.

"We have already raised other matters with the Chief Executive of the Trust and remain extremely concerned that the aims of the Trust are now to close Dalriada Hospital and force those living in the very rural and disparate areas of Moyle to go to Ballymena and Coleraine instead.

"This will cause difficulties for many especially those from less well off backgrounds."

However a spokesperson for the Northern Trust said: "Commissioning of respite beds in Dalriada MS unit for patients in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has not been reduced.

"Other Trust areas across the Region have indicated their intention not to commission respite in Dalriada hospital, which will result in a reduction in the number of patients admitted from other trusts from April 2010."