Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has described as “cruel” the fact that so many people are waiting for home help hours to be allocated.
The latest figures from the HSE reveal that 6,310 people were on waiting lists for home help services at the end of April.
He said it is shocking the delays at present in getting home help hours and home help supports approved.
“As far as I am aware no new home help hours are approved and the only home help hours available are recycled hours or hours that come available from patients which no longer avail of the services be that through death or patients moving into care homes or nursing homes,” he added.
He said that over the past number of years we have seen the number of people waiting for home help hours increase significantly, but despite this, the resources have failed to meet demand leaving some service actually losing hours.
“We are experiencing the qualitative effect of under-resourcing of home help hours, and this situation will get considerably worse unless increased funding becomes available.
“Families across Donegal are angry and frustrated with the Government’s approach to home help. Instead of allowing people to live and be cared for in their own homes, they are forcing them into nursing homes and hospitals. This is turn is increasing the strain on our already overburdened hospital system.”
Pat the Cope added the fact that more than 6,000 people are on waiting lists for hours shows clearly how strained the service has become.
He said the Minister needs to clarify how many people will be affected by these proposed cuts, as there is no doubt that any reduction in hours will pushed an already stretched service to the brink.
He fumed “It defies logic that cuts are being even considered at present and it certainly demonstrates how out of touch this Government are in terms of the demands on home help hours nationwide at present.
“I have met with many families who are at the end of their tether and deeply concerned that their loved ones will not get the care that they need. This is a deeply distressing situation for them and simply should not be happening.
“Home help services are essential; they must be maintained, and indeed increased, the massive savings to the state that home help and carers provide for the health service cannot be underestimated.
“Any move to reduce hours further cannot be countenanced and measures must be taken to ensure that these home helps are protected into the future – we will be judged as a society on the care we provide for our elderly, our sick and most vulnerable within our communities.”
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