Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issue I am raising is a specific one but it arises in the context of a more general problem in the health service, namely, that hospital beds are being occupied by persons who do not require hospital care but rather nursing care or special assistance. A gentleman whom I will not name who suffers from Parkinson's disease and is confined to a wheelchair has been cared for in an acute surgical ward in St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, for some time. The medical advice and the advice of social workers is that it is inappropriate for him to remain thus as there is no specific medical need for him to be in hospital at this juncture. It is intimated that 50% of hospital beds in St. Columcille's Hospital are inappropriately used. In other words, beds are being allocated to people who do not require hospital treatment but instead require some type of home or nursing facility care.

There is a vacancy available for the person in question in the Cheshire Home in Blackrock, which is the type of facility most suited to his condition. However, the problem is that, although this unit can provide all the facilities he requires, funding is needed for a carer or personal assistant. The cost of providing such assistance would be far less than the cost of keeping this person in hospital. The quality of life of the person would be immeasurably enhanced if he were cared for in a residential unit such as that provided at the Cheshire Home rather than in a hospital. Serious costs are being incurred as a result of this individual's occupying a hospital bed. I accept that it is the sympathy attracted by people who find themselves in this position which leads to the overall problem of their being kept in hospital when they should be cared for elsewhere.

A solution could be provided in the case to which I refer by the person in question being offered a place in the Blackrock Cheshire Home. The costs relating thereto would be far less than those incurred by his occupying a public bed in Loughlinstown Hospital. When would funding be made available to employ a carer for this individual if we were given a place in the Blackrock Cheshire Home?

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am replying to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Health Service Executive will undertake a case review in respect of the person named by the Senator to establish how his needs can be met. The accommodation at the Cheshire Home in Blackrock is not designed to meet the needs of the individual referred to by the Senator. It is not, therefore, appropriate that this individual be transferred from Loughlinstown Hospital to the Cheshire Home in Blackrock.

The HSE has a list of individuals who require personal assistant supports and will review this case in line with other competing priorities. The Cheshire Home in Blackrock was developed to provide accommodation for a number of individuals with physical disabilities who require minimal or no additional supports. At this time a vacancy exists at the Cheshire Home but the HSE, in discussion with those in charge at the home, have agreed that, in light of the greatest current need, this place should be utilised for respite because this will address the priority needs of a number of individuals.

Where an individual requires the support of a personal assistant, the facility at Blackrock is not the appropriate place to meet his or her need. The Government has invested heavily in health and personal social services for people with disabilities. Additional funding and services have been provided under the Government's multi-annual investment programme. For each additional personal assistant appointed in recent years, individuals with disabilities received the appropriate supports they require in their daily lives. In this context, an additional 900,000 personal assistance-home support hours were provided between 2005 and 2008 for people with physical and sensory disabilities. This year, the HSE plans to deliver 3.2 million hours of personal assistance-home support. Despite the substantial increase in service provision, the Government acknowledges the significant demand for new services and recognises that there is a growing requirement to enhance existing services. The Government has continued its commitment to develop public health services in line with its budgetary strategy in order to provide a sustainable and significant level of funding for public health services in line with economic circumstances.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I welcome the HSE's undertaking to engage in a case review in respect of the person in question. I hope the statement to the effect that the Cheshire Home in Blackrock is not suitable is not an indication that the case review is being prejudged. However, I again welcome the commitment to review the needs of the individual to whom I refer.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator may wish to take into account that the Cheshire Home is of the same opinion as the HSE in respect of this matter.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept that.