Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

424 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has considered the establishment of an independent inspectorate for health board facilities for the elderly and an ombudsman for the elderly to deal with complaints relating to medical care for the elderly (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

As the Deputy is aware, there is provision under the nursing home legislation for monitoring standards in private nursing homes involving inspections by health boards, however, no similar arrangements are in place for health board facilities. It is planned to rectify this by expanding the role of the social services inspectorate to cover extended care facilities for older people. It is the intention to bring forward proposals in regard to services for older people as soon as possible. Furthermore, under the national health strategy, it has been proposed that national standards for community and long-term residential care of older people shall be prepared.

While there are no plans for an ombudsman for the elderly, the Deputy will be aware that previous calls made for such an appointment stem from the absence of legislation to deal with possible cases of elder abuse. A working group has been established for this area and its terms of reference are to advise on the development of principles, policies and guidelines in relation to elder abuse and, in this regard, to make recommendations on such of the following matters as it considers appropriate: definitions and terminology; identification and screening procedures; assessment protocols and procedures; management of sensitive information; recording and reporting procedures; inter-agency communications and referral practices; intervention issues and procedures to evaluate their impact; any necessary changes in legislation and legal procedures; training of relevant staff in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, and the need for appropriate structures to deal with elder abuse.

The group includes representatives from my Department, health boards, the Garda Síochána the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Irish Nursing Homes Organisation, the Association of Home Help Organisers and voluntary organisations who represent the interests of older people and includes a consultant physician in geriatric medicine, a consultant in the psychiatry of old age, a consultant psychiatrist, a general practitioner and a clinical psychologist.

Draft policies, procedures and guidelines drawn up by the working group are being tested in pilot projects which have commenced in two community care areas. Training programmes have been provided for staff members and ongoing evaluation is taking place. The main purpose of the evaluation is to assess whether the draft policies, procedures and guidelines in the identification, assessment and management of elder abuse, are appropriately designed and effective in the two health board areas. The group has set a target date for submission of a report by 30 June 2002 and it is confident that this will be met.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

425 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the practice (details supplied) whereby as a result of the recent budget increases in the old age pensions, the increase has been absorbed into a higher maintenance charge at a welfare home (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9069/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Charges can be made under two sets of regulations in respect of long-stay or extended care. They can be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965, and charges may also be made under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987.

In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, payment would cause undue hardship.

As this is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, I have asked Mr. Donal O'Shea of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.