'Soul destroying' for people who do not receive promised home help – Kilcoyne

A CASTLEBAR councillor says it is 'soul destroying' for patients when they fail to receive any home help despite being told they will receive some when they leave hospital.

Figures released by the HSE revealed that as of the end of January, there was a total of 120 people on the waiting list for new home help while 100 patients who avail of home help are on a list awaiting for additional hours.

The latest home help waiting list figures were obtained following a request for information from Castlebar-based Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne in advance of the HSE Regional Health Forum West meeting which took place last week,

The meeting heard that of the 120 people waiting for home help, 95 were referred by GPs while 25 were referred in the hospital setting.

Cllr Kilcoyne said that the lack of home help services was 'a major issue' in the region, especially for people living alone after leaving hospital. He said many of these patients are under the impression they will receive home help when they leave the hospital, only to realise none is coming.

“People are under the impression that home help is being arranged for them. Sometimes it cannot be arranged because nobody is there to go out and do the home help. It is important that when people who are being discharged from hospital, particularly those living alone who need home help, know that there is some system in place that they know they will get home help. It is soul destroying for them when they are promised home help and it doesn't arrive,” he said.

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West said that advertising campaigns for additional home help workers is ongoing and it is difficult to attract home help workers in some areas. He said he would take on board the comments of Cllr Kilcoyne and communicate better with patients.

“We recognise when somebody is being discharged home we want to support them to remain at home. We want to make sure they have home support because you have a better chance to keep them at home. It is not always possible and sometimes it does take time for it to happen. We take on board the communication to the person who is receiving the support is critical and I accept that,” he said.