The HSE Health Forum, which is now in recess, should forego its two-month summer holiday and reconvene immediately to tackle the serious issue of proposed Home Help cutbacks, according to TD Michael Ring.
The Fine Gael Spokesperson on Social Protection called on Mr. Frank Murray, Local Health Manager, to immediately call a meeting of the Health Forum and elected Public Representatives (comprising both Oireachtas Members and Local Councillors ) to discuss the recent Home Help cutbacks in the Mayo area.
Expressing his disgust at the very serious cutbacks in Home Help “to the most vulnerable in society”, Deputy Ring stated: “I have been inundated with calls from people who have been affected by these severe cutbacks and in fact I am utterly appalled at some of the incidences where Home Help has been completely removed. I simply cannot believe that the HSE would even consider doing this in some of the cases.”
Deputy Ring continued: “This reduction in Home Help leaves elderly people in an extremely vulnerable position. It is an attack on the weak, the sick and the elderly. These cuts must be reversed.”
He called on the Local Health Manager to immediately reconvene the Health Forum so that discussions can take place between the elected representatives and the HSE to see how this situation can be resolved.
“Home Help plays a very important part in keeping people at home. This scheme has worked very well. It is a lower cost to the HSE than providing full-time care in nursing homes for people. The majority of elderly people want to remain in their own home and be cared for there. I am calling on the HSE to reverse their decision straight away to cut Home Help” concluded Deputy Michael Ring.
