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Call to improve care of elderly Call to improve care of elderly
(about 3 hours later)
Care standards for the elderly could be endangered if pay and conditions for workers do not improve, a Stormont watchdog has said.Care standards for the elderly could be endangered if pay and conditions for workers do not improve, a Stormont watchdog has said.
Many workers are deserting their posts because of poor morale, a report from the Public Accounts Committee said.Many workers are deserting their posts because of poor morale, a report from the Public Accounts Committee said.
It examined how the Department of Health is trying to transform its system from mainly residential care to supported care at home.It examined how the Department of Health is trying to transform its system from mainly residential care to supported care at home.
It said steps must be taken to raise the esteem of the caring profession.It said steps must be taken to raise the esteem of the caring profession.
The report added: "The committee advised that failure to address this issue could lead to a shortfall in the standard and supply of domiciliary care services for older people."The report added: "The committee advised that failure to address this issue could lead to a shortfall in the standard and supply of domiciliary care services for older people."
The recommendations come in a paper entitled "Report into Older People and Domiciliary Care at home".The recommendations come in a paper entitled "Report into Older People and Domiciliary Care at home".
Some workers are paid close to the minimum wage of £5.52 per hour and private companies which provide the care have accused health authorities of failing to set aside enough money, said the committee.Some workers are paid close to the minimum wage of £5.52 per hour and private companies which provide the care have accused health authorities of failing to set aside enough money, said the committee.
"In the voluntary sector, the lack of guaranteed hours, the low hourly rates payable and the often poor conditions of employment can affect the morale of staff and hinder recruitment and retention of staff," the paper added."In the voluntary sector, the lack of guaranteed hours, the low hourly rates payable and the often poor conditions of employment can affect the morale of staff and hinder recruitment and retention of staff," the paper added.
The committee also expressed concern that too many people were being kept too long in hospital because home care had not been arranged.The committee also expressed concern that too many people were being kept too long in hospital because home care had not been arranged.
Recommendations Recommendations
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  • Institutional care should only be used in cases where domiciliary care is not feasible
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  • Older people with less serious requirements must not slip through the net, leaving more expensive needs in the future.
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  • Care packages should be considered prior to discharge from hospital to prevent admission to a residential or nursing home.
  • Institutional care should only be used in cases where domiciliary care is not feasible
  • Older people with less serious requirements must not slip through the net, leaving more expensive needs in the future.
  • Care packages should be considered prior to discharge from hospital to prevent admission to a residential or nursing home.
    The committee said the Department of Health should carry out further investigation of the system here but acknowledged funding differences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.The committee said the Department of Health should carry out further investigation of the system here but acknowledged funding differences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
    The department is introducing better regulation and registration of workers and in 2006 brought in a new training strategy in 2006.The department is introducing better regulation and registration of workers and in 2006 brought in a new training strategy in 2006.
    Sinn Fein committee chairman John O'Dowd said: "The committee was disappointed to find that significant numbers of older people continue to be treated in an institutional setting rather than at home.Sinn Fein committee chairman John O'Dowd said: "The committee was disappointed to find that significant numbers of older people continue to be treated in an institutional setting rather than at home.
    "We believe that the department must be more proactive to ensure that the needs and wishes of older people are central to any decisions on the care process.""We believe that the department must be more proactive to ensure that the needs and wishes of older people are central to any decisions on the care process."