Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Department of Health

Care of the Elderly

8:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortcomings in the area of right to information and accessing vital support and services, specifically as it applies to older persons and their entitlements, including access to home helps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35559/11]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There are several mechanisms in place within the Health Service Executive to address the right to information and accessing support and services by older people. The first point of contact for any older person seeking information or assistance is through their Public Health Nurse, or General Practitioner, who can be contacted through the local Primary Care Unit or Health Centre.

The HSE provides details on a wide range of entitlements, including for example Medical Cards and other schemes, Home Support Services, Residential care, and concerns regarding abuse on its website (HSE.ie). An Information Helpline is also available (1850 24 1850). In addition, the HSE supported website www.myhomefromhome.ie provides information to people concerning access to residential services for older people, or potential residents of nursing homes. This includes links to other information sources for alternatives to residential care. Also, all older people have a right to access personal information under routine administrative access, such as the Data Protection Acts, (1988 and 2003). Other related information can also be accessed under the Freedom of Information Act (1997 and 2003).

In relation to the specific area of Home based supports for older people, the HSE is at present pressing various initiatives aimed at clarifying and standardising issues such as Information, Access, Planning, and Delivery of such services. This includes rolling out across all Local Health Offices new guidelines pertaining to these services, and the procurement of such services in partnership with the Not-for-Profit and Private Providers sector.

The issues raised by the Deputy will also be addressed, as appropriate, in the forthcoming National Positive Ageing Strategy, which will set the strategic direction for important issues such as Information and Access across a range of statutory or other services.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the lack of standards, regulation and inspection of providers of home care services to older persons, particularly, though not exclusively, focusing on the providers of commercial home care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35560/11]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Government policy is to support older people to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible and, where this is not an option for whatever reason, to support access to high quality long term residential care. Significant development of community based services for older people has taken place in recent years. In some cases, where services are approved and funded by the HSE, this may be undertaken by the Executive through partnership arrangements with non-statutory providers to maximise service delivery.

The Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services, which will be subject to inspection by the Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA).

All relevant factors will have to be taken into account in relation to the regulation of home care services. These include, for example, the July 2008 Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance which recommended,amongst other things, the extension of any licensing systems to the primary health care area. In July 2009 the Law Reform Commission published a consultation paper entitled Legal Aspects of Carers, which considered various legal issues surrounding home care, and made a number of provisional recommendations concerning standards and regulations generally.

The Department of Health accepts the need for a more standardised approach to the regulation of Home Care, whether by statutory or non-statutory providers. The HSE is implementing guidelines on Home Care Packages, and is finalizing additional guidelines in relation to the Home Help service, and Quality for Home Care Support Services. In addition, the HSE will shortly conclude a new Public Procurement Framework for Home Care services. These measures have been designed to enhance service provision overall, including Quality and Safety, for HSE home care recipients.

The question of possible changes to legislation, including regulation and inspection, for Home Care services for older people is under consideration. The Department is, at present, examining this matter in the overall context of the licensing of Health Care providers. Legislation is currently being prepared in this regard, taking into account the recommendations of the Commission on Patient Safety, and the Law Reform Commission. In addition, work is being undertaken to ensure that access to community services is provided on a nationally consistent and equitable basis having regard to each person's care needs and means. Various options are being considered at present, including the complex legal issues involved.

The Government will continue to do everything possible to protect vulnerable older people. This includes progressing the various initiatives I have outlined above, while examining the options of introducing the statutory regulation of all home care providers. Such options would have to take account, for example, of any resource or implementation implications, and the need to prioritize new legislation in the context of the wider Social Care area.

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