I am pleased to see the Minister for Health in the chamber tonight being the duty minister, as my adjournment matter is for him. It is in relation to Sea View House at Portland. I am aware that the minister is familiar with the situation in Portland. I can indicate that I also have been contacted by family members who have loved ones who reside at Sea View House. They have raised a number of issues with me, and I ask the minister to take action and inform the residents of Sea View House, their family members, the Portland community, the wider south-west community and me of a number of items.
Will the sale of Sea View House proceed? What time lines will be involved in the decision to sell or not to sell it? What will the consultation process be?
And what guarantee can all those involved — being the residents, their families, staff members and so on — rely on, not just to be informed but to actually be involved in a genuine consultation process at all stages? If it is going to be sold, will Sea View House continue to operate as a supported residential service? If it is to be sold, will it be the Department of Health that decides on the sale, the terms of the sale and the progress, or will it be the Portland District Health board?
While I appreciate that some of these questions may not have answers right at this minute, there is a high level of anxiety within the residential community, and there is little information in terms of exactly what is happening. I ask the minister to intervene and provide greater clarity on issues such as when the key decisions will be made, what the time frames will be and how residents and their families can have full and proper input.