New figures reveal long delay for home support services in Mayo
The HSE has acknowledged there are still challenges in providing adequate levels of home help to all those who need it in Mayo.
A spokesperson for HSE West and North West said home support is provided to a total of 1,581 clients in Mayo with a further 242 on waiting lists. Its National Service Plan targets 24 million hours of home support nationally, of which around 4.3 million are for the West and North West region, and Mayo has been allocated extra funding for a further 617,592 hours. However, despite this, there are still issues with the recruitment of staff.
“Despite increases in investment there are still significant challenges in providing adequate home support packages to all service users,” the spokesperson said. “Home support hours are directly impacted by the availability of home care staff for both HSE direct and through third-party providers.
“In the context of waiting list applications for new or additional services, hours are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to availability of home care staff.”
It said two new healthcare support assistants (HCSAs) have been recruited for the HSE Home Support Service in Mayo and there are a further two panels in place for recruitment. The Home Support Service is running a rolling recruitment campaign for HCSAs and will be recruiting again in June. The HSE has also met with private providers to discuss recruitment.
“The Home Support office for the region has met with private providers regarding their recruitment plans and identification of geographical areas being targeted for recruitment to further build capacity,” the statement said.
Last week, the spoke to the family of Breege Canavan, a Belcarra native who will require ongoing care at home after an acute medical event, expressed their frustration over inadequate home support. In response to this article, a reader from Ballina, shared their own difficulties with accessing home support services.
“My father had a stroke three years ago and my mother cares for him. She cannot leave him alone and she got offered 30 minutes home help per week,” the reader said. “Not per day, 30 minutes per week, and has yet to receive any care support for my father as the HSE does not have enough people to do the work in this area of the country.”
The reader also said that one of her parents-in-law, who has now sadly passed away, was completely immobile when they returned home from hospital. Equipment was provided but no personal care could be found.
“Their sons cared for them by learning how to change adult nappies for a bedridden person by watching YouTube videos,” she said. “Even the private care companies could only provide care for two nights over the three weeks before the parent passed away, at the cost of €1,000 for two nights.
“There is a crisis in this area. The HSE wants people to care for their loved ones at home but is not providing the support.”
