Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

37 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the procedures in place in the evaluation and discharge of acute hospital patients to their home; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties especially when house alterations are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24837/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards have responsibility for the discharge planning function in their respective areas, in conjunction with individual hospitals. The decision to discharge a patient from hospital to home is a matter for the patient's consultant, based on clinical judgment and assessment of the patient's condition.

I am conscious of the need for ongoing invest ment in the discharge planning function. As the Deputy is aware, funding of £32 million or 40.63 million was approved on foot of phase 1 of the national review of bed capacity in 2000-01 to help alleviate service pressures and to maintain services to patients. Funding to facilitate improved efficiency in the discharge planning and bed management function was included in this investment package. This was designed to eliminate any avoidable delays in the patient assessment process prior to discharge home or transfer to an alternative setting.

For people with disabilities, funding is provided from the Department of the Environment and Local Government for a grant scheme to allow appropriate modifications to be made to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in their homes. This grant is administered through the local authorities. The Deputy may wish to pursue this matter further with my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey.

Older people can benefit from the special housing aid scheme for the elderly, which is operated by the health boards on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The scheme is designed to improve the housing conditions of older people, i.e., to make them habitable. The type of work carried out includes essential repairs, painting and decorating, the provision of heating, water, sanitation, door-locks and other security devices, etc.