Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One can get a simple referral from a GP to an ICPOP team. ICPOP teams work very closely with local community older persons services. They also help develop end-of-life care pathways. I have only heard good things about these teams. I have spoken to many people who avail of their services. It simplifies that people do not have to go to six different clinics in six different weeks. Everything is dealt with in one particular area. The teams are located quite close to acute hospitals or community nursing units or in primary care centres. They work hand in glove, especially in relation to discharge, with these facilities. This is important when discharging older people who no longer need acute medical care or the care of a consultant but who are not well enough to come home yet. There is a lot of intervention there in the context of step-down facilities and transitional care beds. The teams also get the correct home care packages in place as quickly as possible.