€1000 + difference in HSE and private nursing home care in Cavan
The there is a difference of more than €1,000 in the weekly cost of providing nursing home care in a HSE run facility compared to private care in Co Cavan, new figures reveal.
The cost of providing care in a public residential centre at present in Cavan ranges from €1,267 at the Ballyconnell-based Breffni Care Unit, run by Ballyconnell Community Services, to €1,886 per patient at the Dr. Jack Sullivan Memorial Home at Cathedral Road in Cavan Town.
By comparison, and according to official figures dated September 15, the cost of providing residential centre at private centre in Cavan is as low as €815 at the Fairlawn's Nursing Home on Cavan Road, with the highest cost at Esker Lodge Nursing Home at Cathedral Roadm, at €990.
A HSE report published this morning has acknowledged that it costs significantly more to operate a long-stay facility in the public service than in the private sector.
Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS - also known as Fair Deal), a scheme of financial support for people who need long term residential care, a person will have their care needs assessed to determine if they need long term residential care services. In addition, they will also have a financial assessment to determine their level of contribution towards their long term care costs. The State pays the balance.
A person’s contribution is the same regardless of whether they live in a public, private or voluntary centre even if the costs vary from one centre to another.
Among the criteria for determining the cost of care under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) is the same for all providers of long term residential care and is based on the level of care needs of the person, bed and board,aids, appliances and assistance and other services.
“The need to modernise/replace a significant number of public centres and improve their environments in line with HIQA standards, has seen substantial capital funding being committed for 2016 – 2021 through the Capital Plan. The current environment and layout of many centres brings challenges to staffing levels due to layout of bedrooms and shared areas. The planned capital development will support a modern fit for purpose environment and, in turn, allow for a more consistent staffing requirement and in a more sustainable manner.”
The report also points to higher nurse staffing ratios, claims of better terms and conditions for staff, the types of buildings used and location of services as reasons for the higher costs.
“The cost of providing long term residential care services comprises in the main of staff pay costs (including nursing and other care staff). Public Long Stay Residential Centres are obliged to apply public service rates of pay and conditions of employment for all staff which includes paid sick leave, maternity leave etc.”