Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has suggested that the Oireachtas Health Committee be asked to examine ways in which the delivery of home care provision can be improved and regulated.
Patrick O’Donovan was speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, where he questioned the Minister of State, Alex White TD, about the Department of Health’s plans to introduce minimum standards for the delivery of home care to elderly people and vulnerable adults.
“I have no doubt that the vast majority of those in the private and public sector who deliver home care do so in a professional and safe manner. However, the absence of legislation and regulations covering minimum standards, training, reporting and other areas, is of concern.
“The Law Reform Commission published a report on the issue in 2012, which recommended that HIQA be given additional re regulatory and inspection powers to ensure that appropriate legal standards are in place for professional home care. It is time these recommendations were implemented.
“Considerable improvements have been made in the area of child protection and nursing home standards thanks to the implementation of legislative measures and regulations. I strongly urge the Minister to ensure the same standards are in place for older and vulnerable people being cared for in their own homes.
“Minister White responded positively to my suggestion that the Health Committee engage with the relevant stakeholders – the service users, the service providers, the HSE, HIQA and others. This could inform the development of a framework of regulations to ensure home care is of the highest possible quality.”