Public feedback invited around standards proposed for state-funded homecare

Respect and good communication are at the heart of draft standards proposed for state-funded homecare, with public feedback now invited. 

Respect and good communication are at the heart of draft standards proposed for state-funded homecare, with public feedback now invited. 

Statutory homecare was first proposed in 2017 in the Sláintecare document and included in the Programme for Government in 2020.

It is not yet decided how funding will work or how much families might have to contribute or how similar the scheme might be to the Fair Deal scheme for nursing home funding.

The standards, published by health regulator Hiqa (Health Information and Quality Authority), are open for public consultation until December 13.

Companies providing homecare will have to follow these standards when finalised. Legislation is also expected.

The standards, when finalised, will apply to public, private for-profit and not-for-profit providers.

The consultation is open to the general public as well as people using homecare, their families and other groups such as policy-makers. 

Rachel Flynn, director of health information and standards with Hiqa, said homecare is “an essential and increasingly in-demand service” in Ireland.

Regulatory framework

“The Department of Health is progressing the development of a regulatory framework and licencing system for home support providers,” she said.

These draft standards are part of preparation for that, she said.

Comments and feedback to the consultant will be used to help inform further development of the national standards.

Focus groups involving people using home support services, families, carers and advocates will also be held.

Minister of State for Older People Mary Butler defended the pace these plans to bring in statutory homecare are going at, speaking in the Dáil recently.

The Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2024 is at an advanced stage, she said. 

Other issues being addressed include, she said: "Future financing of homecare, the reform of the model of service delivery and the breadth of issues relating to recruitment and retention in this sector." 

She also highlighted "unprecedented expansion of the State-funded home support service". An expected 24m home support hours will be provided next year through the existing system, she said.