Vol. 530 No. 1
121 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made regarding a pilot system of needs assessment for carers as proposed in the Government's review of its action programme; when this process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3321/01]
The pilot project which was undertaken by the Western Health Board in the Mayo community care area has been completed. The project has resulted in the devising of a draft standard procedure which could be used by public health nurses and other health professionals to assess the needs requirements of carers and their care recipients. Following the completion of the pilot project, I provided additional resources for the Western Health Board to support the care needs of those who participated in the project. The wider application of the needs assessment procedure piloted in this project is being considered by my Department, and a decision will be made in this regard as soon as possible.
