Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
471. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the provision he will make for home support services for the elderly in view of the significant increase in the number of persons waiting for home support services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/18]
View answer472. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the challenges and risks posed to elderly persons waiting for homecare supports during adverse weather conditions; the number of extra persons he plans on providing these services to in winter 2018/2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48315/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together.
Following the recent Budget announcement, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health are in the process of developing and agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2019, which will set out, in detail, the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to services for older people.
In the context of winter planning there has been a sustained focus in recent years on reducing delayed discharges and enabling patients to be discharged from acute hospital sooner; the HSE is currently finalising its Winter Plan, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to provide the most effective response to the challenges to unscheduled care provision in the coming months. This Plan will contain a range of measures across hospitals, primary care and community care settings to manage critical demand pressures during winter to ensure that the system is working at full capacity throughout busy periods.
As part of Budget 2019, €10 million has been made available to the HSE for the winter period for home care packages and other supports to minimise delays in people getting home from hospital, with a focus on those in the over 75 age group. An additional €10m has been provided in 2018 to anticipate and manage critical demand pressures on the health service and Minister Harris has requested the HSE to prioritise social care measures, with a focus on measures to support older people to transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting. The Social Care measures to be included in the winter 2018/2019 plan are currently being put into place.
