Concerns about scheme funding and conditions
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Tuesday November 10 2009
Concerns have been expressed by the nursing home industry and senior citizens' organisations since the launch of the Fair Deal scheme last month.
Age Action is concerned that the scheme for private nursing homes doesn't cover essential items such as specialised wheelchairs or treatments such as physiotherapy and chiropody.
Private nursing homes account for 65pc of long-term nursing home places, housing 19,000 residents nationwide.
Eamon Timmins of Age Action said: "The minister has responded by saying such items are covered by the medical card.
"This means that non-medical card holders who need these essential services will have to pay more. . . under the Fair Deal."
There are also concerns about funding. According to the HSE, waiting lists will operate after the scheme's budget -- set at €55m for the first year -- is spent.
"This could lead to huge waiting lists," according to Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, which represents the private nursing home sector.
"Older people do not have time on their side and waiting for care for many is not an option," he added.
Irish Independent
