Minister for Health Simon Harris TD today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the ESRI report "An Analysis of the Effects on Irish Hospital Care of the Supply of Care Inside and outside the Hospital". The report was funded by the Health Research Board and provides valuable evidence for the development and implementation of health services.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said "It's vital when we develop policies that affect people's lives and healthcare that we have an evidence base for what we're doing. Good quality data is absolutely essential and I'm very pleased that the ESRI's report confirms that we're going in the right direction with Sláintecare, moving care out of hospitals and into the community and closer to home for patients.
"Sláintecare will transform our health and social care service into a modern, responsive service that offers the right care, in the right place, at the right time, with a priority focus on developing primary and community services.
"Earlier this month, I announced over €2bn in capital funding between now and 2021 for new hospitals, better local health facilities and hundreds of extra hospital beds. We will deliver the capacity that we need, where it's needed most."
Minister of State with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly TD said "“Continued investment in our services for older people is vital. We know that Irish people are living longer than ever before and it's very welcome news, but we need to ensure they live well.
"Our primary aim is to keep people living in their own homes for as long as possible and we recognise the need for improved access to home care. Quality nursing home care that can provide a home away from home is also a key factor. The Government is committed to the development of a new statutory scheme and system of regulation for home-support services that will enable people with care needs to continue to live in their homes for as long as possible. We are also committed to an investment of €220m as part of the Capital Plan to upgrade, refurbish and replace community nursing units, ensuring that our citizens can age positively in homely, good quality surroundings."
Head of Social Care at the Department of Health Dr Kathleen Mac Lellan said "Ireland’s population is living longer than ever before, and this represents the achievements of society in general and specifically how as a health and social care system we are succeeding in adding years to life. Consideration of adding life to those years gained means that we need to focus on systematically introducing effective early interventions and supports in order that our citizens can live independently in their own community for as long as possible. I welcome this report, which increases the knowledge and evidence base available to inform our policy dialogue and decisions around creating sustainable health and social care services to support our citizens as they grow older. I look forward to discussing these findings, and being part of the panel discussion, at the ESRI's policy event next week."
Sláintecare Executive Director Laura Magahy said "Sláintecare is the roadmap for building a world-class health and social care service for the Irish people. Just this week we announced €20m in funding for 122 Sláintecare projects right around the country and I look forward to seeing how they test new ways in which we can bring care closer to home, including putting the patient at the centre of service design and delivery."
The ESRI will host a policy event on Health and Social Care Supply and Resource Allocation Planning in Ireland on Tuesday 24th September, which will be opened by Secretary General at the Department of Health Jim Breslin. Head of Social Care Kathleen Mac Lellan will participate in a panel discussion on Integration and Resource Allocation Decisions for Ireland.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Read more about health data and key trends in Ireland here
Read more about Sláintecare here
Further information on the Health and social care supply and resource allocation planning in Ireland event is available here