Cutbacks ‘will cost more than they’ll save’

Key parts of Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s controversial cutbacks have been lambasted by support groups for potentially costing more money than it will save.

Home and Community Care Ireland, ALONE and SIPTU, made the claim after Thursday’s shock news of a massive €130m worth of further cuts set to be imposed on the already struggling health service.

A central element of this latest money saving move is the decision to reduce home help hours by 5.5%, or 600,000 hours, cutting €10.8m from the country’s bill.

However, the HCCI — which represents private home care groups — has ridiculed the “draconian” plan, claiming it will force elderly people to switch from €185 a day home help to €900 a day inpatient beds.

“The HSE’s own figures calculate the daily cost of keeping someone in a hospital bed at around €900 a day. This is assuming 100% occupancy and also does not take into account depreciation or capital costs.

“In contrast, with home care it costs about €185 a day to provide someone with full-time care at home,” the group said.

HSE national director of integrated services, Laverne McGuinness, told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland any home-help and home-care package cuts would take place on a case-by-case basis. She added that, as part of the cut, each HSE region will be told to examine how their home help hours are provided in an attempt to find better ways to continue the service.

However, despite the attempted reassurance, older persons charity ALONE said the attack on the “most vulnerable and marginalised in society” — which also includes reducing the number of monthly home care packages by 200, saving €1.7m — must be immediately called off.

“We need to see Minister Reilly making good on his commitment to provide care in the community for older people most in need,” said ALONE chief executive Sean Moynihan.

“He has repeatedly stated that care provision in people’s own homes is the preferred option.

“However, these proposals will have exactly the opposite effect as it will inevitably lead to increased hospital admissions which is totally counter-productive if the purpose of these cuts is to save costs,” he added.

Meanwhile, the deepening, Government-imposed health service wounds have received further criticism from Siptu, which said wielding the austerity axe on disability services — saving another €10m — was a step too far.

“These vital services are already overstretched and under-funded. The proposed further cut is morally repugnant,” said Siptu organiser Darragh O Connor.

“The HSE intends to cut by 7.7% the hours of care provided by personal assistants to people with disabilities. This follows a 1.8% cut in 2011 and a 3.7% cut in 2012.

“Personal assistants help people with disabilities live an independent life,” he insisted, adding that the austerity measures will mean increased pressure on other parts of the system.

Most needy

* Children and pensioners with serious illnesses will be the two groups most affected by Health Minister James Reilly’s financial axe-wielding plan.

The Jack and Jill Foundation for seriously ill children, and elderly group the Centre for Independent Living, said the latest cuts will make people “prisoners” in their own homes.

Both bodies said those under their care will be directly damaged by the €10m cut to the personal assistance budget and €10.8m reduction in home-help care.

While both areas are facing long-standing financial difficulties, the groups said the budget reductions risk pushing them over the edge.

— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

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