HSE admits that almost 500 are awaiting homecare support in Cork

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has revealed that almost 500 people in Cork awaiting homecare approval, admitting that coverage in 25 home-support areas across the county is inadequate.

This is according to new figures provided by the HSE, which revealed that 486 people in Cork, who have been approved for home-support services, are waiting for their care to commence.

It also revealed that a further 230 people are waiting for additional hours, with a total of 2,659.5 approved home-support hours currently undelivered.

The HSE identified 25 areas across Cork with inadequate coverage, including Macroom, Bandon, Dunmanway, Ballineen/Enniskeane, Ballincollig, Castlemagner, Rockchapel, Ballydesmond, Banteer, Newmarket, and their surrounding hinterlands.

The HSE said these areas are primarily rural locations where there are ongoing recruitment and retention challenges for home support workers.

The figures come after the matter was previously raised directly with the Taoiseach by Fianna Fáil Cork North West TD, Aindrias Moynihan, who acknowledged that there was an issue with homecare provision in Cork and Kerry.

Mr Moynihan said the figures, which he obtained, show that the concerns he raised previously regarding “blackspot areas” remain a reality for families across the region.

“When I raised this issue previously, I was concerned about the existence of blackspot areas where people had been assessed as needing home care, but there was nobody available to deliver it,” said Mr Moynihan.

“The Taoiseach acknowledged at the time that there was an issue in Cork and Kerry that needed to be addressed.

“These latest HSE figures show exactly where some of those difficulties are.

“There are now 25 areas across Cork identified as having inadequate home-support coverage,” he added.

“Behind every one of those figures is an older person or vulnerable person who has been assessed as needing support in their own home.” 

Mr Moynihan additionally said that staffing shortages identified by the HSE need to be addressed as a matter of priority.

“It is important that we address the recruitment and retention difficulties in rural areas, where people can otherwise be left without access to a service that has already been approved," said Mr Moynihan.

“We have to make sure that an approval for home support means that support is actually delivered."