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Ombudsman: Lack of funding is no reason to keep young disabled people in nursing homes
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Ombudsman Ger Deering has called for adequate funding to be given to the HSE to avoid younger people with a disability having to live inappropriately in nursing homes.
The Ombudsman’s call comes after he had asked the HSE to update him on its progress in implementing measures identified in a 2021 Ombudsman investigation report into the inappropriate placement of people under 65 in nursing homes.
The HSE told the Ombudsman that 81 people have been moved to appropriate care and plans are at an advanced stage to move a further 17 people. However, the HSE has also informed the Ombudsman that after these people move there will be no more funding available this year for any further moves.
At the time of the Ombudsman’s report, ‘Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes’, around 1,300 people under 65 were living in nursing home settings supported by the Nursing Home Support Scheme (the ‘Fair Deal’ scheme).
The Ombudsman said:
I acknowledge the work done by the HSE so far in facilitating people to live life to their full potential. However, I am disappointed by the pace of the progress. I do not accept that a lack of funds should now become a barrier.
The Ombudsman said that he was delighted that 81 people have been able to access appropriate care and transition out of a nursing home. He commended those who had made this happen. But he said that as of July 2024 there are over 1,200 who have not had that opportunity.
Further details are contained in the HSE’s Recommendations Implementation Progress Update and the Ombudsman’s update on Wasted Lives, below.
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