DECISION TO CUT HOME HELP SERVICE CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED

SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL has adopted a motion from Councillor Declan Bree calling on the Government and the Minister for Health to reverse the planned cut backs in the Home Help Service

Addressing the meeting Cllr Bree said "The Government decision to cut back the Home Help Service cannot be justified under any circumstances.

"These proposed cuts will affect the most vulnerable in society - elderly and disabled people in their own homes -  the very people who are being more and more marginalised as a result of ongoing austerity measures.

"The cutbacks fly in the face of long-standing policy and clear commitments in the Programme for Government to develop and invest in home and community care services.

"Home Help is a fundamental part of delivering health services at community level.  While cuts to hospital services or the closure of hospital wards can be immediately identified, the cuts in the Home Help Service will initially not be as obvious to the general public.

"As home helpers work in the home they are somewhat invisible to the public.  However they provide a hugely important service.  Their work includes everything from washing patients, feeding them, putting them to bed, changing colostomy bags, making beds, preparing breakfast, organising medication reminders etc.  Without this type of care many people wouldn’t be able to live in their own home.

"Cuts to homecare services will result in earlier admissions to nursing homes and longer stays in acute hospitals.  Home care services are low-cost yet high value.  The cost of home care provision is significantly less than that of nursing home care provision, or long term hospital stay.  The cost of an acute hospital bed is €899 a day or €328,000 a year.

"The proposed cut backs are totally illogical and will result in more people being decanted into hospitals while at the same time fewer will be fit for safe discharge home.

"Instead of proposing cut backs the Government should be making good on their commitment to provide additional care in the community for older people in need.  The HSE has constantly said that care provision in people’s homes is the preferred option. However the proposed cut backs will have the opposite effect and will inevitably lead to increased hospital admission and increased costs.

"The consequences of these cuts will be earlier admissions to nursing homes, longer stays in acute hospitals and anguish for families who need support to care at home for relatives suffering illness, frailty or disability.

"Elderly people receiving home help services and the Home Help workers who provide the service need the support of the general public.   The Governments proposed cut must now be reversed." he said.

He then propsoed the following motion which was unanimously adopted: “Recognising that the Home Help service is a fundamental part of delivering health services at community level; and aware that significant cuts in the service will affect the most vulnerable in society; this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for Health to reverse the planned cut backs in the Home Help Service; and further we call on the Government to adhere to the commitments given in the Programme for Government, to develop and invest in home and community care services.”