The fundamental policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This is realised through a range of community services such as Home-Help, Home Care Packages, Meals-on-Wheels, and Day/Respite care. Without these supports, many older people would spend longer in acute hospitals, or would be admitted to residential care earlier than might be necessary.
The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of the Home-Help service, in line with the HSE National Service Plan 2010. This Plan, approved in March last, commits the Executive to provide 11.98 million Home-Help hours nationally this year to over 54,000 people. The target for 2010 for Home-Help hours is unchanged over the 2009 figure.
Arising from an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages, published by the Department in December last, the HSE recently established a Task Group to progress this year various improvements in home care provision generally. These include National Standardised Guidelines for the delivery of Home Care Packages, the Allocation of Home-Help hours, and an agreed framework for the national Procurement of Home Care services. The various Guidelines now being prepared are intended to allow the HSE adopt a more standardised approach nationally to the provision of home care services. The draft Guidelines will have to be considered by senior management in the HSE, and will be submitted to the Department for consideration. These Guidelines have not yet been submitted to the Department.