Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Health if, since the introduction of the fair deal scheme, there has been any change in the relative numbers leaving hospitals who are opting for nursing home care versus those opting for a home care package; if he will supply such numbers for the years before and after the introduction of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14154/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Home Care Packages (HCPs) are enhanced supports over and above existing mainstream community services, with the objective of maintaining older people at home and in their communities for as long as possible. They are targeted at those at risk of inappropriate admission to long-term care, or acute hospitals, or those who require discharge home from an acute hospital.

The HSE indicate that the number of clients referred from acute hospitals for a Home Care Package was 413 over the period January-April 2010, and that the corresponding figure for the same period in 2011 was 591, i.e. an increase of 178 clients.

The Executive also indicate that the growth in referrals for Home Care Packages from acute services is related to the increased levels of funding being made available for such packages, and therefore making a greater number of packages available. Home Care Packages are a real alternative to residential care for a greater number of people with complex needs than would have been possible to support prior to the introduction on these packages.

Since the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme ("A Fair Deal") in 2009, 22,277 applicants have availed of the Scheme. Of this number, approximately 10,025 (45%) moved from acute services.

Due to the range of factors impacting on demand for both Home Care Packages, and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, it is not possible at present to identify if there has been any underlying shift in demand for nursing homes support compared to the HCP initiative. The growth in referrals from the acute sector to Home Care Packages, and to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, would appear to indicate a growing demand for services generally.