Brendan Smith
Question:96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve access to the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42780/14]
View answerTuesday, 11 November 2014
Questions (96)
Written answers
I am aware that waiting times on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme placement list are now at around 15 weeks. This is a matter of concern for me, and my Department and the HSE are working to ensure that the resources that are available deliver the best possible outcomes for older people. This will require an integrated approach across community, residential and other service areas.
The HSE controls the release of funding to manage the financial allocation that is available across the course of the year. Funding is released to approved applicants according to their place, in order of their approval date, on the national placement list. Over the course of the year to date, demand has exceeded what could be funded and the national placement list has grown as a result.
In July this year, the HSE allocated €5 million for an initiative to improve access to appropriate care for older people. To date, this has funded over 300 transitional care beds for patients in acute hospitals from the placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and over 200 home care packages to assist patients in the acute hospitals who require a home care package to be discharged.
The Government has provided additional funding of €25 million in 2015 to address delayed discharges. This funding will be targeted at hospital and community services which can demonstrate initiatives to address the specific needs of delayed discharge patients most positively and, therefore, improve timelines for admissions from Emergency Departments and waiting lists. These will include measures to place patients in more appropriate settings through the use of home care packages and intermediate and long-term care. It will include provision for an increased allocation to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Planning for this initiative is well advanced. Details will be finalised in the HSE's Service Plan later this month, with a view to their early implementation.
The Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme which is currently under way will consider the future funding and sustainability of the Scheme as well as how community and residential services are balanced. This Review will be completed in the coming months following which the Government will be considering how best to meet the needs of older people in the future.