Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Wednesday 16°CThursday 14°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
News

Concern as Donegal residents waiting over a year for home care support

written by Stephen Maguire November 16, 2018
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Concern has been raised over the lengthy delays being faced by older people across Donegal waiting to access home care packages.

It has also been confirmed that there are currently 225 people aged 65 and over on home care support waiting lists across the county.

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty has hit out at the Government and HSE over the lengthy delays.

he Donegal TD’s comments come as it’s been revealed today (Friday) that those requiring home care are facing waits of up to and over a year to access the service.

Teachta Doherty said: “The HSE Home Support Service aims to support older people by allowing them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, while also supporting their primary and informal carers.

“Homecare packages are therefore very much patient-focused and are tailored to meet care needs and the everyday living needs of the service user. This may include assisting them to get in and out of bed, dressing and undressing, as well as a person’s personal care and hygiene needs.

“While these packages are provided by either the HSE or by an HSE approved external provider, the service is under huge pressures and is struggling to meet demand in the county.

“One only has to look at the cuts to the service between 2011 and 2012 when the number of home care hours was reduced by 1.5 million, or just over 10 per cent, across the state.

“In May 2018 there were 179 people across Donegal waiting to receive home care packages, that number has now climbed to 225.

“More worrying however is the fact that the HSE has confirmed to me today that 14 people have been on the list for between nine and twelve months, while a further four people have been waiting to access home care service here for a year or longer.

“This is simply unacceptable and this situation is preventing our elderly from living in their homes and having their care needs met.

“The unavailability of services is also having major repercussions across other areas of the health service, particularly on acute services were delays in providing home care packages to patients who have been deemed medically fit to leave the hospital, is resulting in delayed discharges from under pressure facilities such as Letterkenny University Hospital.

“The state has a duty and a moral responsibility to ensure that the care needs of our older citizens are met, yet these delays mean that the Government and the HSE are failing in that regard while many of our elderly are not being afforded the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Concern as Donegal residents waiting over a year for home care support was last modified: November 16th, 2018 by Stephen Maguire
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
home care supportHSE
Stephen Maguire

Stephen Maguire is the co-founder of Donegal Daily. He has worked as a reporter for almost 30 years starting locally with the Donegal Peoples Press before moving to the Mirror Group. He continues to contribute daily to national media outlets including the Irish Times, RTE, the Irish Independent, Irish Sun, Irish Mirror, Irish Star, the Daily Mail and the Examiner.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Reopening of bigger and better Killygordon playground...

13 minutes ago

Watch: Alanis Morissette pulls Donegal fan on...

1 hour ago

Young man arrested following damage to cars...

1 hour ago

Property tax revaluation to see Donegal net...

3 hours ago

National: Tributes flow in following passing of...

3 hours ago

Dallas meets Donegal as celebrity couple visits...

4 hours ago

NI Minister intends to appeal ruling on...

6 hours ago

Letterkenny traffic impacted by major water mains...

7 hours ago

Mix of sunshine and showers today with...

7 hours ago

More than 9,000 Donegal residents served by...

7 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy