Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
739. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress his Department has made to date in responding to the issues raised in the Wasted Lives report published by the Ombudsman in May 2021, regarding the recommendation to move hundreds of younger persons living in inappropriate nursing home settings into a rehabilitation pathway towards independent living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6518/22]
View answerThe Ombudsman’s Report ‘Wasted Lives’ looks at the appropriateness of the placement of people under 65 in nursing homes.
We know that nursing homes are an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in the person’s home. However, for some people under the age of 65 years, nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions, are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.
According to the HSE there is a cohort of approximately 1,330 people under 65 years of age living in nursing homes, 45% of whom are aged 60+ and 20% less than 50 years. For many a nursing home may be the appropriate setting based on their clinical and support needs. However, the HSE acknowledges that this must be the subject of a care and case management approach that facilitates structured reviews and where the will and preference of the individual is of paramount importance.
There is a clear Government commitment to reduce and provide a pathway to eliminate the practice of accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes.
Additional funding was provided for disability services in 2021 and again for this year in Budget 2022. A range of services are being supported that can facilitate young people with serious disabilities live fuller, more independent lives. Measures to prevent young persons from entering nursing homes continue to be supported through a range of services including respite, home support and personal assistance services.
The HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2021 provided for an investment of €3m to enable 18 people under the age of 65 years to move from nursing homes. To end 2021, 14 of the 18 had been moved, with a further four individuals to move early 2022. Budget 2022 provided a further allocation of €5.5m to address the situation of people with disabilities who may be inappropriately placed in nursing homes. The NSP 2022, which is being finalised, will provide further details.
