Written Answers. - Private Retirement-Nursing Homes.
Michael Finucane
Question:
200
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
if his attention has been drawn to the existence of private establishments which are described as retirement homes or rest homes where elderly people will be cared for until such time as they require nursing home care; if he has any monitoring role in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Question:
201
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
if any compensation will be paid to the private nursing homes which have operated in an unfair trading environment without subvention compared to other nursing homes which have been paid subvention over the years; if any cognisance has been taken of this situation in the implementation of the regulations of the Nursing Homes Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
One of the objectives of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 is to introduce a more equitable system for the payment of subventions to persons in private nursing homes. The Act will remove the distinction between homes approved by the Minister for the purposes of health board subventions and those not approved. When the Act is commenced, all nursing homes registered with a health board will be entitled to admit patients who qualify for a subvention from a health board.
It is not intended, nor would it be appropriate, to compensate homes which are not approved under existing legislation for the payment of subventions. The exact way in which registration under the new Act will be implemented in relation to approved and unapproved homes is a matter for discussion in the forthcoming negotiations with nursing home interests.
I am aware of the existence of retirement and rest homes for the elderly. The Health (Nursing Home) Act, 1990, will not apply to retirement and rest homes where the residents are independent. However, any home in which more than two dependent persons are cared for and maintained must be registered as a nursing home with a health board. A person found guilty of operating an unregistered nursing home will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to £50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
Michael Finucane
Question:
202
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will have discussions with the Nursing Home Association regarding the grades and values of subventions prior to their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Question:
203
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
who will make the clinical assessment as to suitability of the residents of private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Question:
204
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will give details of the grades and values of subventions to be paid to nursing homes; when these grades and values will be announced; and the way in which residents of nursing homes or their representatives apply for subvention.
Michael Finucane
Question:
205
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will instruct the health boards to carry out clinical assessments of persons already resident in nursing homes so that further financial hardship to those concerned will be minimised.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 205, inclusive, together.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the clinical assessment of the suitability of residents of private nursing homes. As far as persons who fund nursing home care from their own means are concerned, individuals and their families will decide when admission to a nursing home is required. In the case of persons applying to a health board for a nursing home subvention under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, it will be the responsibility of the health board to carry out an assessment of the dependency of the applicant. This assessment will be carried out by professional staff skilled in the assessment of dependency. Health boards will be recruiting additional staff to carry out the assessments which will arise when the Act is commenced.
Health board staff will be involved in the assessment of persons already resident in nursing homes who apply for the new subvention.
I hope to commence the Act on 1 May provided there is agreement on the new system of subvention.
It is proposed to have rates of subvention related to levels of dependency, under the new Act. I am not yet in a position to inform the Deputy of the value of the new subvention. Formal discussions will begin shortly with nursing home interests and groups representing the elderly concerning the details of the new subvention scheme, including the way residents of nursing homes or their represenatives may apply for a subvention.
