Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Health

Health Services Staff

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria a person must meet in order to become a home carer through either the Health Service Executive or the commercial sector; if, apart from Garda vetting, there are regulations in place to ensure that the successful candidate is suitable and qualified for such an important post, including the specific placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7364/16]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE requires that new directly-employed home help staff have Fetac/QQI level 5 in health-care modules ‘Care Skills’ and ‘Care of the Older Person’ or equivalent qualifications and a minimum of one year’s relevant experience providing care.

The HSE uses private and voluntary providers where direct HSE services are not available. In 2012, the HSE introduced a procurement framework for external providers. This included quality standards for governance and accountability; person-centred care; complaints management; and that personnel involved in the provision of services receive appropriate orientation and induction, and proper and sufficient training and instruction in the execution of their duties.

The HSE is currently running a new tender for externally-provided home-care which requires staff working on HSE contracts to have the following:

home care workers with less than 1 year experience must have a minimum of 2 QQI level 5 modules completed, specifically Care Skills and Care of Older People, and have received appropriate induction prior to working on HSE contracts;

unqualified staff with more than 1 year's experience in the last 3 years must commit to obtaining the above modules within 11 months of commencing work on HSE contracts; and

existing staff working on HSE contracts, with more than one year experience in the last 3 years must have a minimum of 2 QQI level 5 modules specifically Care Skills and Care of Older People.

In addition, all of the above staff employed by external providers must have an assessment of their competency on file, a plan to address any identified training needs, an up to date Patient Handling Certificate including hoist training, and Garda clearance.

These requirements relate to publicly funded care and are not applicable to care funded by clients' own resources.

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