Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Nursing Homes Ireland, several other organisations representing the elderly and health agencies are anxious to facilitate a longer-term planning strategy to be developed for caring for the elderly. There are also concerns about the availability of step-down facilities from hospital and comprehensive home care packages for the elderly.

While the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is calling for certain standards in nursing homes, it is not providing the necessary support and the sharing of information to assist them meeting those standards. Many nursing homes feel it would be helpful if there were more consultation with all groups involved in the care of the elderly. A comprehensive long-term programme for care of the elderly is necessary. A recent report pointed out that 49% of people occupying hospital bed spaces are over 65. We must ensure the appropriate services outside of hospital are available to these people when they are well enough to leave hospital. We can only achieve this if we have more consultation on the matter.