Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
767. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the model for integrated care programme for older persons at Tallaght hospital in association with the local CHO, clinical strategy and programmes and social care division. [54826/17]
View answerThe Older Persons Integrated Care Team for Tallaght Hospital in association with Community Healthcare Organisation 7 was established in October 2016. It became fully operational in January 2017 when a full compliment of six whole time equivalents were recruited, comprising of a full time Consultant Geriatrician, a Case Manager, a Social Worker, a Physiotherapist, a Occupational Therapist and an Administrator.
The team targets older persons with complex care needs in the community, typically frail older adults, receiving an average of 24 referrals per month and is carrying a caseload of about 320 clients at any one time. The majority of interventions take place in a client's home with the remainder in outpatient settings. Located in the Primary Care Centre, Tallaght Cross and funded through CHO 7, the team has established linkages with other community services, statutory and voluntary, in addressing its core function of keeping older people living at home.
