Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2005
111 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers for older persons available (details supplied); her views on whether there is a need for more social workers to work with persons in this age group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4161/05]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the policy of the Department on the care of older people is set out in the report entitled "The Years Ahead", published in 1988, which recommended that older people should be maintained in dignity and independence at home in accordance with their wishes; restored to independence at home if they become ill or dependent; encouraged and supported in their community by family, neighbours and voluntary bodies in every way possible; and provided with hospital and residential care of a high quality when they can no longer be maintained in dignity and independence at home.
Since 1997, additional revenue funding of over €287 million has been allocated to services for older people and a further €17.228 million has been allocated in the 2005 Estimates.
The primary care strategy, Primary Care: A New Direction, proposes the delivery of a broad range of generalist services in the community by interdisciplinary primary care teams and primary care networks with a whole population approach. Patients will have direct access to general practitioners, nursing, health care assistants, home helps, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers, who will work together as a team to provide a patient centred service in the local community to the community as a whole, including older people.
There is evidence that health care professionals working together as a team within the primary care setting represent the most appropriate, effective and user friendly approach to the organisation of health services. The introduction of a multidisciplinary primary care team within a community can enable people to be maintained at home in times of crisis, reduce emergency admissions and shorten lengths of hospital stay. Primary care teams will establish appropriate linkages and relationships with existing specialist community teams, which will enable the team to act as a single and ongoing point of contact in accessing required specialist services.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the employment of social workers who work with older people. Accordingly, the Department has requested the chief officers of the executive's areas to investigate the matter raised and to reply direct to the Deputy.
