Only 25% of targets to improve homecare assessments have been met

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Just 25% of HSE targets for improving “unfair” homecare assessments were met last year, with carer shortages blamed.

A number of counties were even below 25%, including Cork, Kerry, and the South-East, while Mid-West counties have not even started the newly introduced approach yet.

Advocates described the delays as “frustrating” and pointed out that State homecare funding was described as “a matter of urgency” by the Government in 2017.

A new inter-RAI assessment should mean the same markers are applied to every person.

The aim was to have 327 people trained by the end of September. However, by July, just 216 were trained.

Patricia Whelehan, HSE assistant national director for older person’s services, said: “Due to competing priorities, fewer than anticipated numbers of staff have been released for training to date.”

She expects “a significant increase in activity of care needs assessments across all regions” next year.

HSE South-West, covering Cork and Kerry, was 88% below target, with just 291 assessments done.

HSE Dublin and South-East, including Waterford and part of Tipperary, was 95.8% below target, with only 145 done.

The HSE West and North- West region was closest, with 2,095 assessments done, only 21% below its aim.

“Low numbers of staff completing interRAI training and assessments has impacted KPI targets,” Ms Whelehan said.

Instead of the expected 18,100 inter-RAI assessments, only 4,656 were done.

Home and Community Care Ireland’s policy and advocacy lead Jamie Farrelly described the inter-RAI as essential to the funding plans.

“The current assessment system is subjective and inherently unfair,” he said.

Two people with identical care needs will receive a different allocation of hours, depending on who makes the assessment or where the assessment is carried out.

A record 25.5m homecare hours were delivered last year. However, he added: “Workforce shortages are apparent in areas like Cork, Donegal, and Limerick, where waiting lists remain stubbornly high despite record levels of investment.”

The Home and Community Care Ireland pre-budget submission calls for a detailed roadmap for statutory homecare.

The figures were released to Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O’Sullivan. He described the delays as “stark” for families.

“InterRAI is the gateway to home support and the statutory home support scheme,” he said. “Older people and their families are being left waiting because there simply aren’t enough trained staff to carry out these assessments.”

He warned: “The HSE says a significant increase in activity is anticipated in 2027 but families need care now, not promises for two years’ time.”

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He pledged to raise this with the HSE and ministers.

Funding homecare is “really, really important”, according to Camille Loftus, head of advocacy and public affairs with Age Action.

“People are going into long-term care who don’t need to go and who would be happier at home,” she said.

She added: “I do think [minister for older people] Kieran O’ Donnell is committed to this. We are really at the beginning of the process. It is a long-overdue commitment.”