Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that there are many and often complex reasons for thousands of patients occupying hospital beds for longer than is ideal every year. I am familiar with many of these cases. The fact remains that the delays in approving fair deal applications for nursing home care and delays in funding for home care packages create some of these hold-ups. As I mentioned earlier, a hospital is the last place one would want older family members to be in if it is not necessary. International research has shown that every extra day in hospital increases the risk of acquiring an infection, having an adverse drug reaction or developing problems like bed sores. New Irish research published in the British Medical Journal found that older people were 72% more likely to be given prescriptions that were not appropriate for them.

I call on the Government to speed up the application process for the fair deal scheme. This would free up hospital beds and get people out of hospitals. There is a significant delay in approving home care packages. I welcome the announcement made by the Minister, but bringing a loved one home when there is no care at home for them is a significant worry for families. Will the Minister give a commitment that the Government will speed up home care packages and the application process for the fair deal scheme?

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