Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 3

Written Answers. - Alzheimer Patient Services.

Seán Haughey

Question:

84 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health the services currently provided directly or indirectly by the Eastern health Board to alzheimer patients and carers of alzheimer patients; the locations at which day-care, respite and long term residential care for Alzheimer victims are based; if he will provide more funding to develop those services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5147/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The report, The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly stressed the need to develop a range of services for people with dementia, including alzheimer disease, and their families. The report was adopted as official Government policy towards the elderly. Between 1990 and 1994 an additional £21 million was made available to the health services to implement key recommendations for the report, including the strengthening of home and community support for people with dementia and their families. The investment by boards in additional community nursing, day care, respite services and nursing home places has increased the support available to sufferers of alzheimer disease and their carers. The care of those with dementia is clearly emerging as a priority for many boards, a development which I fully support. This year, an additional £7.5 million is being made available to improve further health and welfare services for the elderly and their carers.

The Eastern Health Board provides a range of services for alzheimer patients and their carers including general practitioner and public health nurse services. The Community Care Programme also provides, either directly or through voluntary agencies, day services, including home support, home helps and meals on wheels. The general hospital services provide respite and continuing care services in their facilities for the elderly and in nursing homes for elderly patients assessed as suitable for such placement under the provisions of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990.

Assessment beds are available in St. Vincent's, Fairview, and St. James's Hospital while there are respite beds located in James Connolly Memorial Hospital and St. Patrick's Hospital. Day hospital places are also available in these three locations. Funding has been made available to provide a similar range of services in Community Care Areas 1 and 2 by the health board in conjunction with St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, and the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God. The specialist units for the elderly mentally infirm already in existence at Vergemount and Tivoli Road. Dún Laoghaire will be an integral part of this service. I might add that the Tallaght Hospital, which is under construction, will include six beds for a psychiatry of old age service.

In the board's remaining catchment areas, the above mentioned services are provided by general psychiatrists who use beds for assessment and continuing care as appropriate. The Eastern Health Board also provides a grant to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland towards the respite and day care services provided by them.

The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which commenced on 1 September 1993 widens the options available to those caring for relatives with dementia. Under the Act, health boards may pay a subvention towards the cost of care in a nursing home of a person who needs that care and who does not have the resources to pay that cost. Almost £15 million will be available this year to fund subventions under the Act.