Concern raised over home care sector

The Health Service Executive has begun a review of home care services supplied to 65,000 older people following reports of substandard and inappropriate levels of care.

The executive said it was “taking seriously” allegations that a number of private providers were failing to meet even basic standards in the provision of care.

This follows an investigation by RTÉ's Prime Time which uncovered several instances where vulnerable elderly people had received inadequate care, and, in at least one case, had been mistreated by a member of staff.

The programme, which is due to be broadcast tonight, showed an elderly woman being force-fed by a care attendant working for Clontarf Home Care Services.

Tonight, the company said three members of staff had been suspended on full pay pending an investigation.

The company said it was a not-for-profit community-based healthcare provider and had been proving homecare help for 38 years.

Minister of State for older people Áine Brady said it was clear the behaviour and practices highlighted in the programme constituted a breach of trust “in an unacceptable way”.

“I am particularly concerned at the effects that any breach of trust has on the care recipients and their families and loved ones,” she said.

“In relation to the four cases highlighted, the HSE is investigating these now and if there was a lack of suitable care the HSE will terminate the contracts and/or change providers.”

Ms Brady said there were 150 private providers catering for around 6,000 elderly people in their homes across the country.

While Hiqa, the Health Information and Quality Authority, currently regulate standards in private nursing homes, the homecare sector remains unregulated and there is no legal obligation on the providers to vet staff.

Fine Gael’s Catherine Byrne claimed the programme highlighted the need for Hiqa to inspect home care services.

“It is very distressing to think of older people being exposed to low standards or poor treatment by those entrusted with their care,” she said.

In its statement, the HSE said it had taken a number of steps since concerns were raised in the Prime Time programme, including making contact with over a hundred clients in receipt of services from the organisations featured in the programme.

It also said services nationwide have been alerted to the issues raised by the programme so that they can review arrangements with service providers where necessary.