60 older people/week added to nursing home waiting list

In Health, News, Older People by Denis Naughten

1,500 people languishing on waiting list for over 3 months before approval

Freedigitalphotos.net by Witthaya Phonsawat

Freedigitalphotos.net by Witthaya Phonsawat

More than 60 older people a week are being added to an already unacceptable waiting list to access nursing home payments leaving families with a bill of close to €15,000 before the nursing home support scheme kicks in, claims Denis Naughten TD.

“Older people are waiting over three months to access a bed under the nursing home support scheme, which is forcing them to occupy beds in hospitals already struggling to cope with emergencies and planned surgeries,” stated Denis Naughten.

“While some 1,500 older people have been approved for financial support under the Fair Deal nursing home scheme, they cannot receive payment towards the short fall between their income and the nursing home cost until they reach the top of a 12 week plus national waiting list,” he explained.

“Not only is this leading to chaos in our hospitals but in some instances is placing undue financial pressure on older relatives, adding to their fears and concerns.

“Based on average nursing home charges families could be facing a bill of up to €15,000, while waiting for the nursing home application to be processed and then placed on the national waiting list.

“There is now a policy within the HSE of reducing the number of nursing home beds released because the delay has gone from six weeks at the end of April to 12 weeks presently, which is causing additional financial distress for older people,” concluded Denis Naughten.

ENDS.

Editor’s Note: See Dáil replies attached

QUESTION NO:  646

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Ms. Lynch)
by Deputy Denis Naughten
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 15/07/2014  

 
 *  To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 12 March 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the length of time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Denis Naughten T.D.

  
REPLY.
On the 30th June (latest figures available), there were 1,465 people on the national placement list for funding, with average waiting times of approximately 12 weeks. The placement list is essential to ensure the Scheme remains in budget. Funding is released weekly, to ensure those on the placement list receive funding as soon as possible.

QUESTION NO: 191DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Ms. Lynch)
by Deputy Denis Naughten
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 18/06/2014 


* To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 12 March 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the length of time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Denis Naughten T.D.


REPLY.
On the 28th May 2014 there were 1,265 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. At that stage it was taking 7-8 weeks for funding to issue, from the date that the person was first placed on the list.

QUESTION NO: 220
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Ms. Lynch)
by Deputy Denis Naughten
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 08/05/2014 


* To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 12 March 2014, the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the length of time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Denis Naughten T.D.


REPLY.
On the 29th April 2014 there were 913 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. At that stage it was about 6 weeks for funding to issue, from the date that the person was first placed on the list.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/

Department of Health
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Application Numbers
All Written Answers on 12 Mar 2014Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

234. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 5 December 2013, the number of persons on the placement list for thenursing homes support scheme; the length of time it is taking for funding to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[12410/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

On the 26th February 2014 there were 654 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. At that stage it was taking 29 days for funding to issue, from the date that the person was first placed on the list.