Report criticises payment practices for nursing home costs

WIDELY different practices, used by local health offices in calculating enhanced subventions for nursing home care, have been criticised in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) annual report.

Enhanced payments arise in situations where, even with the maximum subvention, the family or individual cannot afford to meet the shortfall in costs of nursing home care.

There are no clear rules in the regulations about who is entitled to get enhanced payments which is a matter for each Health Service Executive area.

Subvention payments totalled €109.8m last year, of which €49.2m was in respect of enhanced subventions.

The CAG, who examined 19 local health officers responsible for administering the scheme, found that people could end up paying different amounts to meet the fees depending on the area.

In some counties in the midland and north-west areas a substantial contribution could be required while in other counties in the same areas no contribution would be necessary.

The CAG noted that recommendations on the development of equitable arrangements for the funding of long-time care would be going to Government shortly.

Age Action Ireland welcomed the move towards a standardised interpretation but said it must be done in the best interests of older people.