Page 9 - Guerin Media Ltd | Nursing Homes Ireland Yearbook & Diary 2015
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Oireachtas Committee on Health and is unacceptable the transparency in this regard throughout 2015.
Children of this requirement when it respect of the public nursing homes is
held a consultative process surrounding absent. In April 2013, when responding As I write, the extraordinary delays
End of Life Care at which NHI provided to a question in Dáil Éireann seeking a surrounding payment approval for
presentation. The Committee’s Report specific commitment and timeframe for Fair Deal applicants and high numbers
on End of Life and Palliative Care in publication of public nursing home fees, of the list awaiting the support of the
Ireland, published July 2014, provided Minister with responsibility for Older scheme are making national headlines
the following recommendation: “In People Kathleen Lynch stated revised and the subject of much debate within
reviewing the current Fair Deal Scheme costs would be “published shortly” but Leinster House. This is manifestation
an evidence-based cost of care model this remains outstanding. of sustained and ongoing lobbying
could be used in assessing the real cost As I stated to Minister for Health Leo by NHI and Members have played a
of residential nursing home care in Varadkar when he addressed NHI crucial role in bringing the matter to
Ireland.” Annual Conference in November 2014, the attention of their local TDs and
As evidenced from the IPSOS/MRBI at this point in time private and voluntary Senators. I thank you in this regard and
survey, it is unsurprising the inadequacy nursing homes are, on average, expected encourage you to support NHI during
of Fair Deal is to the fore in NHI to provide complex care to residents 2015 as we bring issues impacting upon
Member concerns. 93% of you stated the at an average of 50% per week less long-term care delivery to the attention
resourcing of the sector is inadequate than it costs the State in public nursing of elected representatives. A key strength
to keep up with demand and 87% of homes. By any comparative measure, of NHI – as advised of by Padraig
you believe there is a better way to private and voluntary nursing homes Walsh, former-President of the Irish
calculate the fee paid for care. When represent the best value option available Farmers Association at the NHI Annual
prompted Members stated the quality of to Government for providing the long- Conference 2014 – is the strength of
care (86%), and the quality of facilities stay care of older people. A Minister the sector within local communities.
and dependency level (both at 83%) were who has a reputation for directness We must harness our strength as key
considered better ways of agreeing a within politics, I encouraged Minister healthcare and jobs providers at local
fee that would encompass requirements Varadkar to grasp the issue and NHI level to make our voices heard and
placed upon long-term care providers. will continue to address through our advance the critical health and social
Against the backdrop of this squeeze ongoing representations to Department care requirements for people requiring
upon private and voluntary nursing of Health. long-term care in our local communities.
homes and the severe, unwarranted Minister Varadkar stated at the
pressure being placed upon them to conference the review of the Fair Deal Unified, we are in a stronger position to
provide care for some of the most scheme, which commenced June 2012, tackle the significant challenges we face
vulnerable in society for inadequate would be published early 2015 and this to advance the specialist healthcare we
fees, accountability in respect of public must deal in a meaningful way with provide.
nursing home costs is completely fee provision to provide nursing home
absent. The public nursing homes are care and the required transparency I thank you for your support throughout
not subject to ‘negotiation’ with NTPF surrounding public nursing home costs. 2014. We look forward to your continued
and they simply publish their fees. At In addressing you, our Members, I engagement and participation in 2015.
time of writing it has been three-and- am very conscious the issue of staffing
a-half years since publication of the – particularly surrounding nurse Tadhg Daly
cost of care in public nursing homes. recruitment – is a critical challenge. Chief Executive
The most recent fees for public nursing This is a continued priority for NHI in Nursing Homes Ireland
homes were published March 2011. 2015 and I encourage Members to utilise
By comparison, private and voluntary NHI’s new dedicated nurse recruitment
nursing home fees are published on a website, www.careersinnursinghomes.ie,
consistent basis, providing transparency to advise of opportunities. In 2014 the
and accountability that is inexplicably Board approved the appointment of a
not applicable to public nursing homes. Project Officer, to work with the NHI
NHI representations to the HSE and Working Group on Nurse Recruitment
Department in Health have stated it and are making significant inroads in
is incumbent on the HSE to publish addressing the challenges surrounding
up to date costs immediately and to nurse recruitment and Members will be
update Fair Deal cost of care in public regularly briefed of NHI initiatives in
nursing homes on a regular basis. It
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Children of this requirement when it respect of the public nursing homes is
held a consultative process surrounding absent. In April 2013, when responding As I write, the extraordinary delays
End of Life Care at which NHI provided to a question in Dáil Éireann seeking a surrounding payment approval for
presentation. The Committee’s Report specific commitment and timeframe for Fair Deal applicants and high numbers
on End of Life and Palliative Care in publication of public nursing home fees, of the list awaiting the support of the
Ireland, published July 2014, provided Minister with responsibility for Older scheme are making national headlines
the following recommendation: “In People Kathleen Lynch stated revised and the subject of much debate within
reviewing the current Fair Deal Scheme costs would be “published shortly” but Leinster House. This is manifestation
an evidence-based cost of care model this remains outstanding. of sustained and ongoing lobbying
could be used in assessing the real cost As I stated to Minister for Health Leo by NHI and Members have played a
of residential nursing home care in Varadkar when he addressed NHI crucial role in bringing the matter to
Ireland.” Annual Conference in November 2014, the attention of their local TDs and
As evidenced from the IPSOS/MRBI at this point in time private and voluntary Senators. I thank you in this regard and
survey, it is unsurprising the inadequacy nursing homes are, on average, expected encourage you to support NHI during
of Fair Deal is to the fore in NHI to provide complex care to residents 2015 as we bring issues impacting upon
Member concerns. 93% of you stated the at an average of 50% per week less long-term care delivery to the attention
resourcing of the sector is inadequate than it costs the State in public nursing of elected representatives. A key strength
to keep up with demand and 87% of homes. By any comparative measure, of NHI – as advised of by Padraig
you believe there is a better way to private and voluntary nursing homes Walsh, former-President of the Irish
calculate the fee paid for care. When represent the best value option available Farmers Association at the NHI Annual
prompted Members stated the quality of to Government for providing the long- Conference 2014 – is the strength of
care (86%), and the quality of facilities stay care of older people. A Minister the sector within local communities.
and dependency level (both at 83%) were who has a reputation for directness We must harness our strength as key
considered better ways of agreeing a within politics, I encouraged Minister healthcare and jobs providers at local
fee that would encompass requirements Varadkar to grasp the issue and NHI level to make our voices heard and
placed upon long-term care providers. will continue to address through our advance the critical health and social
Against the backdrop of this squeeze ongoing representations to Department care requirements for people requiring
upon private and voluntary nursing of Health. long-term care in our local communities.
homes and the severe, unwarranted Minister Varadkar stated at the
pressure being placed upon them to conference the review of the Fair Deal Unified, we are in a stronger position to
provide care for some of the most scheme, which commenced June 2012, tackle the significant challenges we face
vulnerable in society for inadequate would be published early 2015 and this to advance the specialist healthcare we
fees, accountability in respect of public must deal in a meaningful way with provide.
nursing home costs is completely fee provision to provide nursing home
absent. The public nursing homes are care and the required transparency I thank you for your support throughout
not subject to ‘negotiation’ with NTPF surrounding public nursing home costs. 2014. We look forward to your continued
and they simply publish their fees. At In addressing you, our Members, I engagement and participation in 2015.
time of writing it has been three-and- am very conscious the issue of staffing
a-half years since publication of the – particularly surrounding nurse Tadhg Daly
cost of care in public nursing homes. recruitment – is a critical challenge. Chief Executive
The most recent fees for public nursing This is a continued priority for NHI in Nursing Homes Ireland
homes were published March 2011. 2015 and I encourage Members to utilise
By comparison, private and voluntary NHI’s new dedicated nurse recruitment
nursing home fees are published on a website, www.careersinnursinghomes.ie,
consistent basis, providing transparency to advise of opportunities. In 2014 the
and accountability that is inexplicably Board approved the appointment of a
not applicable to public nursing homes. Project Officer, to work with the NHI
NHI representations to the HSE and Working Group on Nurse Recruitment
Department in Health have stated it and are making significant inroads in
is incumbent on the HSE to publish addressing the challenges surrounding
up to date costs immediately and to nurse recruitment and Members will be
update Fair Deal cost of care in public regularly briefed of NHI initiatives in
nursing homes on a regular basis. It
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