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Delays in accessing essential health funding supports revealed by NHI survey

Monday August 26, 2019

23rd August 2019: Pressures upon hospitals and community care across the country have been highlighted by providers of nursing home care. Arising from receipt of high number of calls from Members and the general public regarding delays in accessing Fair Deal and transitional care funding support, Nursing Homes Ireland undertook a snapshot survey late last week to receive feedback from Members regarding Fair Deal and transitional care funding issues that they are observing.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO states: “Our survey provides just a snapshot of the pressures being encountered by patients requiring discharge from our acute hospitals and their families and those being brought to bear upon hospital staff. It informs older people are staying in our hospitals for weeks, despite being ready for discharge back into the community via nursing home care. Nursing homes liaising with families are hearing their frustrations and upset as their loved ones remain within hospitals unnecessarily. The survey also reveals staff within hospitals are planning the discharge of patients and liaising with families but are then hamstrung due to funding supports not being available. It indicates staff within our hospitals are frustrated by, ultimately, lack of funding support from Government to support them in discharging patients and making hospital beds available to those who need them.

“It is important to be aware delays in discharging older people from our acute hospitals can have a very detrimental impact upon an older persons physical and cognitive wellbeing. Nursing homes specialise in providing rehabilitative and respite care in the community, providing people with access to nurses and carers on a 24/7 basis. Nursing homes provide person-centred healthcare, and tailor care to support the physical and cognitive wellbeing of residents. Lack of access to such supports can lead to deterioration in physical conditioning and cause great emotional distress.”

ENDS

Media enquiries will be facilitated by Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications and Research Executive, at 01 4699800 or 087 9082970.

Note for Editor  

  • The nursing homes that responded to the survey have not been identified to protect the identity of the staff and residents disclosing potentially sensitive information
  • Minor edits have been undertaken to some of the text solely for punctuation reasons
  • The survey was undertaken the day of Thursday 15th August

NHI snapshot survey August 2019 – Fair Deal & Transitional Care funding delays impacts