Menu
15/01/2002
Minister announces free nursing care for elderly residents
Health Minster Bairbre de Brún has announced her intention to introduce free nursing care for elderly residents of nursing homes from October of this year.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Minister Bairbre de Brún announced her intention to introduce free nursing care in nursing homes on Tuesday January 15.
The Minister explained that the provision of £4.5 million in the revised budget for 2002/03 would fund the extra cost following the passage of necessary legislation through the Assembly.
At present there are about 2,000 residents paying the full cost of nursing home care, and it is these who will initially benefit from the introduction of free nursing care from October 2002.
Ms de Brún said: “This is an important development that I know will be widely welcomed.”
The Minister also confirmed that the Department is currently working to develop an appropriate assessment process. She said: “The assessment process must be seen to be fair, easy to understand and with the minimum of bureaucracy. An advisory group of health professionals, led by Ms Judith Hill, the Chief Nursing Officer, is now involved in the testing of an assessment tool being developed by the University of Ulster.”
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Sue Ramsey has welcomed the announcement as “good progress”. Ms Ramsey, said the current costly process was both “unfair and the cause of stress and hardship” and that the introduction of free nursing care would importantly “benefit almost 2,000 people”. (AMcE)
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Minister Bairbre de Brún announced her intention to introduce free nursing care in nursing homes on Tuesday January 15.
The Minister explained that the provision of £4.5 million in the revised budget for 2002/03 would fund the extra cost following the passage of necessary legislation through the Assembly.
At present there are about 2,000 residents paying the full cost of nursing home care, and it is these who will initially benefit from the introduction of free nursing care from October 2002.
Ms de Brún said: “This is an important development that I know will be widely welcomed.”
The Minister also confirmed that the Department is currently working to develop an appropriate assessment process. She said: “The assessment process must be seen to be fair, easy to understand and with the minimum of bureaucracy. An advisory group of health professionals, led by Ms Judith Hill, the Chief Nursing Officer, is now involved in the testing of an assessment tool being developed by the University of Ulster.”
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Sue Ramsey has welcomed the announcement as “good progress”. Ms Ramsey, said the current costly process was both “unfair and the cause of stress and hardship” and that the introduction of free nursing care would importantly “benefit almost 2,000 people”. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 December 2001
Major cash injection for NI health budget
Health and Social Services emerged the top priority as the Northern Ireland Executive’s revised Budget for 2002-03 unveiled in the Assembly. On Monday, December 3, Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mark Durkan, revealed an 8.9 per cent increase in the allocation for Health and Social Services and the provision of free nursing care for the elderly.
Major cash injection for NI health budget
Health and Social Services emerged the top priority as the Northern Ireland Executive’s revised Budget for 2002-03 unveiled in the Assembly. On Monday, December 3, Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mark Durkan, revealed an 8.9 per cent increase in the allocation for Health and Social Services and the provision of free nursing care for the elderly.
23 November 2001
Lobby group vows to fight for free nursing care
A new lobby group has been launched in Northern Ireland to pressure for free nursing care for the elderly to be included in the Executive’s forthcoming budget.
Lobby group vows to fight for free nursing care
A new lobby group has been launched in Northern Ireland to pressure for free nursing care for the elderly to be included in the Executive’s forthcoming budget.
10 May 2019
Progress For New Cancer Strategy Aimed At Meeting Growing Demand
The projected rise in cancer cases represents one of the biggest challenges facing Northern Ireland's health service, Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle has warned. Professor McArdle will head up a new Department of Health steering group tasked with developing a new 10 year cancer strategy.
Progress For New Cancer Strategy Aimed At Meeting Growing Demand
The projected rise in cancer cases represents one of the biggest challenges facing Northern Ireland's health service, Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle has warned. Professor McArdle will head up a new Department of Health steering group tasked with developing a new 10 year cancer strategy.
13 April 2015
Care Standards For Nursing Homes Revised
Care standards for nursing homes in Northern Ireland have been revised by the Health Minister. The standards set out the minimum requirements that providers of these services must achieve. They also set the level of service that the residents in nursing home care and their families and carers can expect.
Care Standards For Nursing Homes Revised
Care standards for nursing homes in Northern Ireland have been revised by the Health Minister. The standards set out the minimum requirements that providers of these services must achieve. They also set the level of service that the residents in nursing home care and their families and carers can expect.
09 July 2009
Hugh Grant Says 'Use Marie Curie Nurses'
More than half of Northern Ireland's population don't know the Marie Curie Nursing Service is available to them locally.
Hugh Grant Says 'Use Marie Curie Nurses'
More than half of Northern Ireland's population don't know the Marie Curie Nursing Service is available to them locally.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
