‘No one will be forced out’ of Westlands care home in Cookstown - McCrea

The Health and Social Care Board’s [HSCB] declared its intention to close or re-utilise 10 of the 19 NHS Care Homes in operation across Northern Ireland.

Westlands in Cookstown and also Roxborough House in Moy are on that list and over the summer will take part in a 12-week consultation, after which the HSCB and Health Minister Simon Hamilton will make their decisions.

But the DUP assembly man says he has been assured the Cookstown home will not close.

“Whilst others seek to cause anxiety and fear I have been working to get the answers local people need and I am pleased to be able to say that after a series of meeting between myself, the Minister for Health Simon Hamilton MLA and discussions with the Chief Executive of the Northern Trust held over the last few days I have been assured that the “home will remain open until the last resident leaves and that not one of them will be asked or forced to leave,” said Mr McCrea.

“Westlands Care Home will remain open as long as there is a resident who wishes to remain.

“Whilst I am of course disappointed that the Trust are not changing their position on permanent admissions I am however heartened to hear the news that the site will become a community hub for the wider health provision in the area. This has been something that I have worked towards throughout my time on both council and in the assembly.

“The Trust are also locating Integrated Community Teams on site as well as looking at how the community and voluntary sector can come on board as well to ensure the future for Westlands is a bright one.”