Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to ensure better co-operation and engagement between primary and community carers and the acute sector regarding services such as home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36486/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In line with Government policy, the Health Service Executive provides a range of community-based services aimed at ensuring older people receive safe, timely and appropriate care and treatment at the lowest level of complexity, and as close to home as possible.

The establishment of the HSE’s Social Care Division to support the ongoing service requirements of older people and people with disabilities is a fundamental step in moving forward with the design and implementation of models of care across both these Care Groups.

Older people with care needs must be provided with a continuum of services such as home care, day care community support and/or intermediate care beds to avoid unnecessary acute hospital admissions and have their required treatments and supports delivered within their local community at primary care level in as far as possible.

In this context, all Divisions are working collaboratively to ensure that people receive appropriate care as they move through the care pathway across hospital and community services.