Séamus Hughes
Question:88 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times in each health board area for admission to long-stay places for the elderly; and the number of elderly involved in each health board area. [16881/95]
Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly Policy.
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, the current policy on care of the elderly is to maintain elderly people in their own homes for as long as possible.
It is recognised, however, that there is a small proportion of dependent elderly people who require long-stay care and accommodation must be provided for these individuals, whether it be in health board accommodation or nursing homes.
The length of waiting time for health board long-stay accommodation varies from board to board. Some health boards have no waiting lists but, in general, the average waiting period is two to four weeks. The boards assure me, however, that all urgent cases are assessed immediately and, if necessary, admitted without delay to long-stay accommodation.
The waiting period is somewhat longer in the Eastern Health Board area due to the large proportion of elderly people in the region and the ensuing pressure this places on the health board's long-stay institutions. As is the case in the other boards, however, waiting periods for admission vary and are generally dependent on the urgency and appropriateness of the patient's need in relation to the particular vacancy which has become available.
The figures requested by the Deputy are not routinely collected by my Department.