Written answers

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Department of Health

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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174. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that patients in receipt of fair deal nursing home support are not charged for entertainment or activities, contrary to the nursing home regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43622/14]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. The Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of residential care which are:

-nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,

-bed and board,

-basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and

-laundry service.

A nursing home may not levy additional charges for the above core services.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Care Scheme or the Drug Payment Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home and goods or services which are already provided for elsewhere are therefore not also provided for under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Part 8 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract with each resident which specifies the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The HSE is not party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently the subject of a review. This Review will include consideration of the issue of additional charges for non-core services.Work on the Review is ongoing. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months and the Report will then be made publicly available.

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