HSE accused of contradictions

HSE officials cannot justify paying millions of euro for expert legal defences during patient lawsuits while claiming it cannot provide adequate elderly home help care because of a lack of money.

The apparent contradiction was raised at the latest HSE South regional health forum as management was warned of ongoing problems in the home help service.

Speaking during the debate, Cllr Ted Tynan (Workers’ Party) said he knew of two 84-year-olds on the northside of Cork City who had seen their support cut in recent weeks.

One of these people, Mr Tynan said, has been told his three-and-a-half hours of help a week will be withdrawn. Another man from Mayfield died in the weeks after his support was cut to just seven hours a week, Mr Tynan added.

“We’re talking about the reality of cutbacks. But this is happening while the HSE is giving €1.3m to a solicitor for 11 months’ work, about €39 per hour.”

His concerns were supported by Kilkenny-based Cllr John Coonan (FF), who said the cases are only “scratching at the surface” of a problem that is costing, not saving, the State money in the medium term.

Kerry area manager Michael Fitzgerald said the HSE South “plans to deliver 3.62m hours of home help to a target of 15,000 people” this year.

He added that while “no one at this table would argue against what you have said”, the service is still “subject to an ongoing clinical and administrative review” in order to provide services to those who need it most.

Separately, HSE South health forum chair Cllr Jim Townsend (Lab) told the meeting he will write to senior HSE officials to ensure nobody is given “less than an hour” of home help a week.