We the undersigned, ask the SH&SCT to do everything in its power to support “The Firs” Residential Home in Ballygawley and to retain this vital service within the South Tyrone area.

This is a ‘home from home’ setting for the residents that live there.

All the residents have learning disabilities and have had respite or lived in this area for a long number of years.  

There are no such facilities in the South Tyrone area that cater to the specific needs of younger adults (ie. under the age of 65). Homes up to 30 miles away have been suggested as an alternative with accommodation of 20+.adults where the average resident age is 80+ years.

It is vital to keep this service open for the residents and those residents of the future so they can remain ‘at home’.

Homes like “The Firs” are recommended by the following bodies: -

1.  CQC (Care Quality Commission, 2021) recommend that people with disabilities “should have the option of living with a small number of other people in shared housing that has a small-scale domestic feel.  This should involve people in choosing how many people, and who they live with” (CQC, 2021).

2.  NICE guidance (CG142) states that small services for autistic people with mental health conditions and /or behaviour that challenges, “should usually be provided in small, local community-based units (of no more than six people and well-supported single person accommodation)” (CQC, 2021).

3.  JCHR (Joint Commission of Human Rights) have specifically recommended that a legal duty is introduced on Local Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure the availability of sufficient community-based services.” (Statement UIN HLWS524, 2020).

4.  Transforming Care Agenda is all about improving health and care services so that more people can live in the community, with the right support, and close to home.