Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the opportunities available for carers to be involved in care planning and provision by health and personal social service providers, and particularly by the primary care team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 National Carers’ Strategy sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
It sets out a vision to work towards an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery to ensure that carers feel valued and supported to manage their caring responsibilities.
Objective 1.2 of the Strategy is to include carers in care planning and decision making for those that they care for. An action area within that objective is to involve carers, as appropriate as partners in care planning and provision by health and personal social service providers and particularly by the primary care team.
Within the Community Health Organisations (CHO) arrangements for care needs assessments are made through the multi-disciplinary primary care teams, public health nursing service, multi-disciplinary (hospital & community) home care committees, and local placement fora (for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme) as appropriate. Input from a carer (with the service user’s permission), is integral to ensure that both informal and formal care is taken into account to ensure a holistic care package is developed.
In addition, in March 2014 the HSE launched ‘The Integrated Care Guidance: A practical guide to discharge and transfer from hospital’. Within the guide there are 9 steps for effective discharge planning and transfer from hospital to community healthcare settings. These include steps which specifically outline the involvement of the service user and carers so they can make informed decisions and choices for future care.
The HSE established a cross-divisional working group to examine and progress all of the health related actions in the Strategy, which will include the actions regarding the involvement of carers with health professionals in the development of care plans.
