James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 81: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the role the National Treatment Purchase Fund will have in identifying and recommending nursing homes under the nursing home support scheme; when it will begin this role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34573/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister published the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 on the 9th October. It is her intention to bring the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible with a view to implementing the scheme in 2009.

Under the new scheme, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will negotiate prices for long-term care with private nursing home owners on behalf of the State. Where nursing homes agree prices for the purposes of the scheme with the NTPF, the NTPF will recommend the homes to the Health Service Executive for inclusion on the list of nursing homes 'approved' for the scheme. A person availing of the scheme can then choose any approved private nursing home or public nursing home on the list subject to availability and the suitability of the home to meet their care needs.

The NTPF's negotiating role under the scheme will be an ongoing one. The price agreed with private nursing homes for the purposes of the scheme will naturally be subject to periodic re-negotiation to take account of inflation and other developments. The NTPF will commence its role under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme as soon as the legislation has been passed and the relevant section of the Act commenced.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the National Treatment Purchase Fund will negotiate the cost of private beds on behalf of the Health Service Executive in the absence of the Health Information and Quality Authority Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34574/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The present standards for nursing homes are set out in the Care and Welfare Regulations and the Health Service Executive (HSE) inspects private nursing homes on the basis of these standards. Earlier this year, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) submitted "Draft Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People" for approval, and these are currently under consideration in the Department. Once introduced, these standards will apply to all nursing homes — public, private and voluntary.

Under the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) will negotiate prices for long-term care with private nursing home owners on behalf of the State. Pending the approval of the Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People and the enactment of Regulations to underpin them, these negotiations will be based on existing arrangements including the existing regulatory framework. Where nursing homes agree prices for the purposes of the scheme with the NTPF, the NTPF will recommend the homes to the Health Service Executive for inclusion on the list of nursing homes 'approved' for the scheme. A person availing of the scheme can then choose any approved private nursing home or public nursing home on the list subject to availability and the suitability of the home to meet their care needs.

The NTPF's negotiating role under the scheme will be an ongoing one. The price agreed with private nursing homes for the purposes of the scheme will naturally be subject to periodic re-negotiation to take account of inflation and other developments.