Written answers

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Health the total number of long-term patients requiring constant nursing care currently residing in public or private nursing homes; the full extent of the care facilities available in terms of medical and nursing staff, physiotherapy or other back-up services at each location; the extent to which waiting lists for the services in both the public and private sector exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8716/12]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2009 (as amended) currently require that there is an appropriately qualified registered nurse on duty and in charge of all designated centres at all times. The Long-Stay Activities Statistics for 2010 (the most recent year available) provides the following information in respect of the Percentage Distribution of Patients Resident by Level of Dependancy in long-term care as at the 31st December that year. The Deputy should be mindful that these are self-reported survey results.

Survey Response Rate - 80%

Table B6 - Long-Stay Units by Category: Percentage Distribution of Patients Resident by Level of Dependency

RegionLow DependencyMedium DependencyHigh DependencyMaximum DependencyTotal
HSE Extended Care Unit4.911.526.457.3100%
HSE Welfare Home9.517.918.454.3100%
Voluntary Home10.121.628.939.5100%
Voluntary Welfare Home34.312.632.620.6100%
Private Nursing Home15.324.931.827.9100%
Total12.621.43035.9100%

The HSE is currently piloting a single assessment tool that will uniformly assess dependancy levels. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the statutory body responsible for the registration of all designated centres for older people, including public, voluntary and private nursing homes. Full details of all currently registered homes, including the care services provided, can be found on the HIQA website, www.hiqa.ie.

Since the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was introduced in October 2009, individuals must undergo cares needs and financial assessments in order to qualify for financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care. At end-December 2011, there were 583 applicants on the national placement list awaiting allocation of funding. In addition, 779 applicants had been allocated funding but had not yet taken up a bed. A further 3,112 applications for the scheme were in progress. However, it should be noted that applications are frequently submitted to the HSE without the necessary supporting documentation. This can create delays which are outside of the HSE's control.

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