Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if border rules between former health board areas apply for the provision of beds in community nursing facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28587/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is the policy of the Health Services Executive to provide patient-centred, flexible services where the views of individuals and their families are taken into account as an integral part of any decision in relation to current and future care. Community nursing facilities normally service a population within a defined geographical catchment area. Some catchment areas currently cross former health board areas or borders. Where a patient requests a service outside of these arrangements, the HSE will endeavour to meet such requests on a case by case basis.

The creation of the national Health Services Executive as a single unified system does allow for a more flexible approach to be taken to previous administrative boundaries. However, the extension of existing catchment areas would create short-term implications for bed availability for clients in respect of whom services were originally planned. Therefore, any such process would have to be undertaken on a planned and managed basis as part of the service development necessary to ensure equitable access to extended care across the country. However, as indicated the Health Service Executive provides and plans for individual circumstances as far as possible, having regard to competing demands and existing waiting lists for services.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the flexibility there is in the allocations of beds in community nursing facilities to persons living a very short distance outside the former health board boundary area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28588/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department requested a report on this matter from the Health Service Executive midland area. The HSE midland area has confirmed that it is the policy of the Health Service Executive to provide patient-centred, flexible services where the views of individuals and their families are taken into account as an integral part of any decision in relation to current and future care.

The national Health Service Executive as a single unified system allows for a more flexible approach to be taken to previous administrative boundaries. However, the HSE has advised that the opening up of services generally and in particular services in community nursing facilities would create short-term implications for bed availability for clients in respect of whom services were originally planned. Therefore, the HSE has stated that any such process would have to be undertaken on a planned and managed basis. The HSE midland area has further advised that the Health Service Executive provides and plans for individual circumstances and alternative proposals have been made to the family involved in respect of future care for the applicant. This, however, must be done having regard to competing demands and existing waiting lists for services.