Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 – Press Kit

Please see below media/press kit for Nursing Homes Ireland 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Images from the event will be made available throughout the day in the Multimedia tab.

If you have any immediate questions or enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Deegan, Policy & Comms Lead, NHI, at [email protected].

Please click the below image, or scan with your phone, to register your media interest for requests/interviews.

Nursing Homes Ireland – Survey

The Coyne Research survey, commissioned by NHI in August 2024, aimed to capture the public’s perception of nursing home care across the country. The nationally representative survey, conducted by Coyne Research, with a sample of 1,000 adults, explored key concerns such as the availability of local nursing home care, funding challenges under the Fair Deal scheme, and the government’s preparedness to meet the growing care needs of Ireland’s ageing population.

Read full report here.

The findings provide a comprehensive view of public sentiment on these critical issues, highlighting widespread concern about the sustainability of nursing home care in the face of increasing demands.

  1. Concern Over Nursing Home Closures:
    1. 57% (6 out of 10 people) of respondents are either very concerned or extremely concerned that their family members may be unable to access nursing home care in their local communities, should they require it.
    2. This concern was particularly high among Baby Boomers, females, and Generation X.
  2. Regional Differences in Concern:
    1. Concern was highest in Munster, followed by Dublin, while Connacht/Ulster showed the lowest levels of concern.
  3. Attitudes Toward Funding and Government Preparedness:
    1. Nearly 4 in 5 respondents (77%) agree that nursing homes should receive additional Fair Deal funding to provide staff with pay and conditions similar to those in public nursing homes.
    2. There is widespread belief that the government is not adequately preparing for the care requirements of Ireland’s ageing population, especially among Baby Boomers and Gen X.
    3. Only 30% of respondents agree that nursing home care in Ireland is adequately funded by the government, with Gen Z showing slightly higher confidence compared to older generations.

These insights highlight widespread concern over access to local nursing home care and a strong desire for increased Fair Deal funding, as well as dissatisfaction with the government’s preparedness for Ireland’s ageing population.

Key Challenges and Urgent Issues Facing the Nursing Home Sector in Ireland

  • Funding Disparities: Private and voluntary nursing homes receive €430 less per resident per week compared to HSE-operated homes, creating a significant financial disadvantage.
  • Nursing Home Closures: Since 2017, over 70 nursing homes have closed, resulting in the permanent loss of more than 1,800 beds, particularly impacting rural communities.
  • Public Concern: Nearly 6 in 10 people are worried their loved ones won’t be able to secure care in their local communities due to the closures and limited resources.
  • Rising Operational Costs: According to PwC, operational costs for nursing homes have risen by 36%, yet revenue has only increased by 17%, leaving homes in need of an additional €270 per resident per week to stay afloat.
  • Ageing Population Pressure: The over-65 population has grown by 35% over the past decade and is expected to nearly double in the next 20 years, with the highest growth among those 85+, increasing the demand for care services.
  • Threat to Community Care: The closure of nursing homes undermines the Sláintecare goal of providing care closer to home, forcing older residents to relocate far from their communities.
  • Disparity in Access to Services: Residents in private nursing homes face unequal access to primary care services and essential equipment compared to those in public homes or people living at home.
  • Undervaluation of Healthcare Assistants: Private and voluntary nursing homes struggle to offer competitive salaries to healthcare assistants, who are paid less than their public-sector counterparts.
  • Immediate Need for Fair Deal Reform: The Fair Deal scheme must be reformed to address funding inequalities and ensure nursing homes have the resources to meet their financial obligations and prevent further closures.
  • Call for Government Action: The government must act swiftly to increase Fair Deal funding, support competitive pay for staff, and provide equal access to services, or the sector will continue to face closures, staff shortages, and diminished care for Ireland’s ageing population.
  • Collaboration is Key: Policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities must collaborate to address these challenges and secure the future of nursing home care.

Key Event Highlights

  • Date: September 19th, 2024
  • Location: Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny
  • Theme: Meeting the Challenges of Caring, Together!
  • Keynote Speakers:
    • Jillian van Turnhout, NHI Chair, Opening Remarks
    • Minister Mary Butler, Ministerial Address
    • Tadhg Daly, CEO of NHI, Closing Remarks
    • Keynote Speaker – Deborah Somorin, From Adversity to Triumph-Resilience
  • MC: Anton Savage
  • Conference Agenda: Available here

About the Nursing Homes Ireland Annual Conference & Exhibition

The Nursing Homes Ireland Annual Conference & Exhibition is the leading event for professionals in the nursing home and older care sector in Ireland. It gathers key stakeholders, including nursing home providers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry experts, to discuss the future of older care, innovations in healthcare, and the challenges faced by the sector.

The event features insightful presentations, panel discussions, and workshops covering topics like regulatory changes, advancements in care technology, and strategies to improve the quality of life for residents. The exhibition showcases the latest products and services available to the nursing home sector, providing attendees with valuable insights into emerging trends and solutions.

The conference is designed to inspire collaboration, share knowledge, and ensure that Ireland’s nursing homes continue to provide high-quality care to their residents.

Nursing Homes Ireland Overview
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector, encompassing over 440 nursing homes across Ireland, which provide care to over 27,000 people. Our mission is to actively support and represent our members, enabling them to deliver sustainable, high-quality care to their residents.

As the leading voice of nursing home residents and NHI members, we are dedicated to championing a care-first philosophy. We actively advocate for the rights and well-being of residents, while responding to the evolving needs and challenges faced by our members. Through this, we pledge to uphold our role as advocates, embracing the direct voices of those we serve and continuously striving to promote excellence in care.

High quality images of the conference, speakers and exhibition will be made available throughout the day, through this link:

Annual Conference 2024 – HQ Images

For media inquiries, please contact:
Kevin Deegan, Policy and Comms Lead
Phone: 087 236 3039
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nhi.ie