Cuts ‘will force old people into nursing homes’

HUNDREDS of elderly people will be left with “no choice” but to be sent to residential institutions if the Government continues to slash the home help service, a leading advocacy group has warned.

A detailed letter was sent by Age Action Ireland to Health Minister Mary Harney after it emerged that the HSE’s latest budget plan for this year has called for extensive cuts to the home help service.

The plans, which alongside other health service cuts are expected to lead to e72 million in savings, were put to Ms Harney on Tuesday after they were agreed by the HSE Board.