The Programme for Government contains a commitment to consider developing a secure and equitable system of financing for community and long-term care which supports older people to stay in their own homes.
In advance of this piece of work being carried out, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is being reviewed. The review of the Scheme will inform the commitment made in the Programme for Government and includes the following terms of reference:
- consideration of the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services, and
- consideration of the extension of the scheme to community based services.
Work will continue on the review in the coming months with a view to completion in 2013.