Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a series of matters in relation to private and voluntary nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29870/23]
View answerIt is acknowledged that the nursing home sector has evolved over the last 30 years from a predominantly State led service to a situation today where approximately 80% of nursing home services are provided by the private sector. While it is the Government’s overarching policy to provide a greater level and volume of care in the community and to support older people to live at home for longer, it is recognised that nursing home care will continue to be an important part of the continuum of care into the future.
It is therefore important that all aspects of the nursing home sector are scrutinised over the coming years to ensure that service delivery and configuration meet the needs of service users in a sustainable and safe manner. It is also critical that investment in this infrastructure is maintained at a level that enables the appropriate standards to be met and that residential care capacity, both public and private, is increased in the coming years. The Government will engage with all sectoral stakeholders, as necessary, to ensure that this increase in capacity is delivered according to established demand and in the right locations.
In 2018, the Department of Health published the Health Service Capacity Review which forecasted future capacity requirements in acute care, primary care, and in social care (residential and homecare services) for the period to 2031. An update of the Health Service Capacity Review is now being planned. This programme of work will determine and review current capacity in the health system, both public and private, review drivers of future demand (including unmet demand and changing demographics) and estimate capacity requirements to 2040. This work will be underpinned by regional population-based planning and resource allocation models. In 2023, the HSE will also be finalising the future operational model for Community Based Public Residential Services. This model will include a blueprint for future service delivery across the full health service and will have the older person and their needs at its centre.
