Large numbers locally on waiting list for home care
Figures recently released by the HSE have revealed that large numbers of people across various Community Health Organisation (CHO) areas are awaiting homecare support.
The figures, revealed on foot of a parliamentary question by Cavan TD Pauline Tully, found that 651 people are currently on a waiting list for home care support in the Cork and Kerry area (CHO 4).
In the South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow/Kilkenny area (CHO 5), 1,561 people are on the waiting list for home carers, while in the Limerick, North Tipperary/East Limerick and Clare area (CHO 3), 461 people are waiting on homecare support, while 38 people are on a waiting list for funding.
“Figures released to me by the HSE in response to a parliamentary question expose a growing crisis when it comes to home carers in Ireland. Almost 5,000 people are in this unacceptable situation across the state. Every area is affected,” Deputy Tully said.
Within the parliamentary question, deputy Tully also requested that the length of time people have been on the waiting list also be provided.
The response issued from the HSE noted that they do not correlate such information nationally, stating that while it may be available locally, it would take ‘considerable resources’ to collate nationally.
“There has been a significant reduction in the number of people assessed and waiting on funding for home support throughout 2020 and into 2021 – this has been as a result of a number of factors including validation of waiting lists and availability of funding to address those waiting.
“As part of the ongoing validation process, the figures for those waiting for funding for new or additional Home Support have greatly reduced between 2020 and 2021,” a spokesperson for the HSE said.
SITUATION ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’
It was also highlighted that the Department is currently engaged in a detailed process to develop a new stand-alone, statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services.
“Developing a new statutory scheme will be an important step in ensuring that the system operates in a consistent and fair manner for all those who need home support services,” the spokesperson added.
Responding to the parliamentary question she submitted, deputy Tully called on the government to engage with homecare providers and incentivise the progression of the terms they offer staff to bring them into line with those employed directly by the HSE.
Deputy Tully also called on the government to reintroduce priority PCR testing for healthcare staff and homecare works, and relax income and working hours limits for part-time home care workers in receipt of social welfare payment, to add capacity to the homecare sector.
“Behind every statistic is real lives and real people who are being let down by the state. People with disabilities and older people should have every right to lead full, independent lives and receive sufficient support from the state to meet their needs.
“This situation is not good enough for people who need these services. The government must stop burying their head in the sand on this issue and finally prioritise people with disabilities to ensure they get the support they deserve,” she added.