NHI News Spring 2016

NEWS

NHI News published by: Nursing Homes Ireland, Unit A5, Centrepoint Business Park, Oak Road, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 4292570 | Fax: 01 4291845 | E-mail: info@nhi.ie Visit us online: www.nhi.ie

SPR I N G

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DKM WARNING

PRICING MODEL LACKS RATIONALE, CONSISTENCY & FAIRNESS

GE 2016 SUSTAINABILITY KEY MESSAGE FOR POLITICIANS

HSE SERVICE PLAN ESCALATING COSTS REQUIRE RECOGNITION

COMMENT

Compelling requirement for change within our sector must be impressed upon new Dáil

Tadhg Daly, Chief Executive Officer, Nursing Homes Ireland

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new political landscape is before us. As I write, the make-up of our next Government remains as uncertain as it was when the results of the General Election filtered through. Uncertainty and speculation are dominating the talk surrounding Leinster House and the establishment of Government.

Meanwhile the issues facing wider society prevail. Care of the older person must become a priority for the incoming Government. The last Government was guilty of putting the very serious issues impinging upon nursing home care delivery on the backburner. The review of the Fair Deal scheme was protracted. When the scheme commenced a commitment was made it would be reviewed after three years. Six years post the scheme commencement, the review was eventually published in July 2015, with the Government entering into its final term. The Review was effectively a whitewash, recommending a further review of the critical issue of the funding model to support nursing home care.

Incredulously, this pricing review is being undertaken by the existing commissioners of nursing home care, the NTPF. There was far more substance to an analysis later commissioned by the Department and completed within less than a year. Potential Measures to Encourage Provision of Nursing Home & Community Nursing Unit Facilities, which was undertaken by DKM Economic Consultants and published in December 2015, highlighted to a seismic extent the considerable shortcomings of the pricing model to support nursing home care. The report described a funding model and fee setting mechanism that is ad-hoc, irrational, lacking in consistency and fairness, and is unsustainable. It said fees are derived from ad-hoc negotiation and fail to reflect the dependency levels of residents in nursing home care. Indeed outgoing Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch 01 — NHI NEWS

acknowledged at NHI’s pre-election healthcare debate fees payable for nursing home care need to be reflective of the care needs of persons requiring nursing home care rather than based upon the home’s geographic location.

The stark findings within the DKM analysis highlighted the paucity of the Fair Deal review. This analysis highlighted the absurdity of the most recent Government not addressing the very serious issues surrounding fee provision for nursing home care in any urgent or meaningful way. It now provides the incoming Government with the compelling case to introduce an appropriate funding model to support older persons requiring nursing home care – one that that delivers greater transparency and reflects the reality of costs incurred to meet a person’s long-term residential care requirement. Read further of the DKM analysis within this edition of NHI News.

The General Election provided a strong platform for direct engagement between nursing homes, as local health and social care providers and lead employers in the local community, and politicians / candidates. Thank you to all our Members who engaged in our General Election 2016 Public Affairs Campaign – Securing a Sustainable Future.

Our briefing for candidates informed of independent evidence that highlights the requirement for an evidencebased approach in deciphering fees for persons’ long-term residential care requirements. Strong representations were brought before political party health spokespersons / representatives at the NHI pre-election healthcare debate that took place in January, at which Members provided compelling testimony that the actions of the State within the private and voluntary nursing home sector is threatening the sustainability of providers. The TD’s all acknowledged the lead role our sector fulfils in providing long-term residential care and requirement for changes to the funding model to greater encompass the true costs of this specialist care.

During the election, NHI asked the main political parties to positively commit towards advancing four key requirements to advance the sector and support its sustainability. These were: P Introduction of a funding model that recognises the reality of costs incurred to provide nursing home care P Introduction of an independent appeals process under the Fair Deal scheme P Requirement for a workforce plan for the health service that places gerontological care at the centre of it P A Government / Department of Health led ‘Forum on Long-Term Care’ to consider and advise re appropriate planning and policy to sustain provision and meet future growth.

Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats responded positively to our survey; disappointingly Fine Gael did not respond and as I write

CONTENTS READ ALL ABOUT US 100 years of life are celebrated in Co Louth; a Mayo nursing home receives international recognition; the Men’s Shed in a Co Kildare nursing home is proving a great success while ‘pics’ of recent intergenerational activity feature a fellow Lilywhite nursing home; a Dublin nursing home has been busy hosting an array of activities including a sports evening, family fun day and Adopt a Patch programme; 102 years are celebrated in another Dublin nursing home, while creative talents create a F1 wheelchair’ in another capital-based nursing home; a fashion show is hosted in Co Westmeath; and a bishop’s diamond jubilee is celebrated in Co Kilkenny.

NHI UPDATES HIQA extends physical environment works deadline to 2021 for all nursing homes after NHI had accused Government of political interference; nursing home care is promoted by NHI through the Irish Independent and Today FM, while YouTube captures the NHI Care Awards glory; NHI participated in the first National Primary Care Conference; read of NHI submission to the Low Pay Commission; and Nursing Homes Week 2016 will take place 13th – 19th June.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Key NHI events for year 2016 are outlined along with other events of interest to the nursing home sector.

GENERAL ELECTION 2016 Within the 40 General Election constituencies across the country, NHI Members engaged with candidates during the campaign to inform them of the pressures upon our sector and measures required to support a sustainable nursing home sector.

HSE SERVICE PLAN 2016 NHI has welcomed the commitment of additional funding within the HSE Service Plan for year 2016 to enable timely access to nursing home care. However, it has stated funding to support nursing home care must become cognisant of the increasing costs being incurred by providers in an escalating cost environment.

DKM ANALYSIS The Department of Health has been warned the pricing model to support persons requiring nursing home care operates in an ad-hoc manner, lacks rationale, consistency and fairness, and is unsustainable. The findings within the Department of Health commissioned report are of seismic importance, according to NHI.

MY NURSING HOME LIFE Laura Sheridan, Senior Nurse at Maypark House, Co Waterford, writes of working within an environment that encourages and facilitates continuous personal and professional development. This enables her enhance the clinical, psychological and social care experiences of residents in her care.

END OF LIFE CARE Over 100 public and private residential care centres across Ireland are currently taking part in the Irish Hospice Foundation’s programme a Programme for Change. Anna de Siun outlines practices in residential care arising within participating nursing homes.

ST LUKE’S CONFERENCE At a forthcoming conference, Professor Brendan McCormack will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with developing a person-centred culture in care settings.

NATIONAL DEMENTIA CONFERENCE Ireland’s first national dementia strategy is underway and its implementation plan for nursing homes will be outlined at a forthcoming conference.

CINEMOBILE A Co Galway-based charity brings the cinema experience to nursing homes.

NHI ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORT OF

Thanks to all supporters of NHI, many of whom are featured in this newsletter. Please note, NHI is not responsible for third party services advertised in this publication. Inclusion in this newsletter does not endorse, recommend or imply any approval of the suppliers listed in this publication.

we are advised the survey is being advance internally within the party.

The new Dáil presents a new cycle for NHI to engage and inform re our sector and advance the imperative changes required to support its sustainability. A body of strong independent research provides a compelling case for change in how nursing home care providers are supported to provide nursing home care. NHI’s ongoing public affairs campaign will continue to advance the sector and the requirement for change within it with the key stakeholders. This will include returning and new TDs and Senators, party health spokespersons, Members of the Oireachtas Health Committee, key officials within Department of Health, HSE and other key stakeholders.

I take this opportunity to again encourage you to support our public affairs activities. NHI Members are fulfilling critical roles within communities (the 40 Dáil constituencies) across the country.

Within dedicated ‘home from home’ settings, NHI members are meeting the health and social care requirements of persons within our local communities and providing large-scale local employment. It is important elected representatives are aware of the key role you are fulfilling within their local communities, the sustained pressures upon you, and required actions to address the threats to our sector and the threats to sustainability of current nursing homes.

Nursing Homes Week 2016, which will take place Monday 13th June – Sunday 19th June, provides further opportunity for engagement with your elected representatives. The national celebration, now in its fourth year, is about bringing residents, staff and wider communities together to celebrate the positivity of nursing home care. Why not provide your local TDs or Senators with opportunity to visit the nursing home, participate in the celebrations and engage with staff and residents. We again urge Members to host a celebration that enables further recognition of the positivity of the life enhancing care you are providing on a continuous basis.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO

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READ ALL ABOUT US! What activities are taking place in your home? How are residents fulfilling their lives? What celebrations are taking place? Read all about us! offers NHI Nursing Homes the opportunity to publicise the wide-ranging activities that are taking place in homes across the country. It provides an excellent opportunity to publicise nursing home life in the positive light it should be seen in and members are encouraged to make us aware of what is going on. You can send any articles or pictures of interest to michael@nhi.ie.

1916 Lil celebrates 100 years of life were the cause of celebration at a Co Louth nursing home recently. Lil Torrens celebrated her 100th Birthday in Sunhill Nursing home, Co. Louth, surrounded by her family, friends and staff on Saturday 27th February.

Celebrations included Mass celebrated by Fr. Aiden and a party with music.

Lil was born one of eight Children who grew up at North Strand Dublin. Less than two months after her birth and within 2 km of her home, events took place at the GPO which changed forever the way we live our lives in Ireland. This of course makes Lil older than Ireland itself.

Lil Met and married the love of her life Tom Scully in 1939 and they went to live on Collins Avenue, Dublin. She gave birth to three beautiful daughters, Rosemarie, Lorraine and Elizabeth.

Sadly Tom passed away in 1966 and she and Elizabeth went to live with her sister Rosaleen in Canada where she met and married Bill Torrens. Lil Returned to Ireland in 1980 and lived in Clontarf until 2008, when she then made the move to Sunhill.

Over her seven years in the Termonfeckin nursing home Lil has lived life to the full and continues to do so.

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“There are many things that would strike you about Lil and the first is her smile, followed by her elegance and style,” Elaine Moloney, Director of Nursing explains. “Lil is a very independent lady and on the morning of her birthday, she was up at 08.30 putting in her rollers for her party that afternoon. Since coming to Sunhill Lil has taken part in many outings and events including the first Come Dine with Me. Lil loved her garden at home and in Sunhill she has helped develop the garden outside her window. She enjoys her bingo and her family say you can judge her mood by mentioning Bingo to find out if she has won or lost that day. Lil enjoys her glass of Guinness or wine in the evening.

Lil also enjoys knitting and often has a display of her hats in the bedroom. Lil is one remarkable Lady who is very strong and many have been inspired by her great strength.”

On the afternoon of her birthday, Sunhill presented Lil with a large red book of happy memories and there is plenty space to add further. The birthday celebrations continued over the weekend. Two days of celebration to mark 100 years P

Mayo nursing home receives Stirling recognition A Co Mayo nursing home has received international recognition for its dementia care. St Attracta’s Nursing Home, Co Mayo, has rolled out Stirling University, Scotland’s, Best Practice in Dementia Care Programme.

Stirling University is recognised as a world leader in the research field of Dementia Care and provides information and advice to guide best practice in dementia care.

The Best Practice in Dementia Care course is designed for staff working in a care environment and runs over six months. It requires extensive commitment by staff who comment that they see a visible improvement in staff practice. Director of Nursing Alison Moore, who trained as a facilitator, rolled out the program to the first group of nursing home staff in 2014 and has commenced training with the second group.

Commenting on the programme she said “What makes this training programme different is that it is ‘real’; the learning is focused on our current residents with dementia who our staff care for each day. Our staff really ‘know’ them and by putting the learned theory into practice this enables a person-centred approach to care”.

Sean Hughes, Learning and Development Officer with the Dementia Services & Development Centre in Stirling University, visited St. Attractas Nursing Home to present staff with certificates of completion of the Best Practice in Dementia Care Course. He commended St. Attracta’s for their commitment to the program and was delighted to make the journey to recognise such dedication.

The Co Mayo nursing home also recently hosted an exhibition of resident art works. Ten residents created wonderful works under the guidance of local artist Tom Meskill. The residents who got involved were: Nuala Meskill (mother of Tom), Maureen Walsh, Seamus Fox, Nora Dillon, Teresa Grennan, Kitty Stenson, Chris Davey, Mary O’ Higgins, Mary B McLoughlin and Ann Sandys. Their ten paintings are now displayed within the home for all to enjoy P

Pictured from left to right at the presentation by Stirling University of certificates to recognise completion of its Best Practice in Dementia Care course are, from left: Sean Hughes, Stirling University; Kathleen Donohue, Emmanuel Kenny, Niamh Rowley, James Walsh and Alison Moore, all from St. Attractas Nursing Home.

Resident Seamus Fox with his family who travelled from Dublin for the occasion.

Resident Nuala Meskill with her son Tom Meskill, the artist who coordinated the project.

Men’s gathering in Larchfield Park Larchfield Park Nursing Home are establishing a Men’s Shed and the Kildarebased nursing home has received a great response to the project. While it will be different from the conventional Men’s Sheds in the community, the principles are the same. Projects being undertaken include upcycling old bicycles to use as flower planters in garden forecourts, creating bird boxes and wind-chimes. The residents will be entering “The Fisherman Friend” competition to create and complete a piece of wood that represents the meaning of the Men’s Shed to them. The Men’s Shed is a member of the Irish Men's Shed Association. Peter Johnson, a member of the Vespa Men's Shed, has engaged with the nursing home has said it will open up great opportunities for men in the nursing home to discuss their interests. Separately, resident Ian Sutton participated in Movember to support the Irish Cancer Society and raised an excellent €425 courtesy of the generosity of management, staff and visitors P

Clockwise from left: Larchfield Park Mens shed, a member of the Irish Mens Shed Association.

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Intergenerational engagement to the fore at Craddock House

Naas Community Primary School pupils in fancy dress enjoying celebration with Margaret Ryan

Resident Margaret Quinn enjoying the fine display of food at a recent intercultural day hosted by the nursing home.

Resident Johann Drennan engaging with students from Naas Community Primary School

Children from Scoil Rince Chill Dara entertaining residents

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Family, friends and sports stars at Hamilton Park It’s been an extremely busy period at Hamilton Park Care Facility in Co Dublin. Amongst the events the Balbriggan-based nursing home has hosted of late has been a family and friends fun day, a sports star evening to recognise sports starts in the local community, and it participated in a quiz with a neighbouring nursing home.

Margaret Corry, activities manager at the nursing home stated: “Our family and friends fun day was a fantastic occasion. Our guest of honour on the day was Amy Duffy, who won a gold medal for Ireland in the Special Olympics in Los Angeles. Local bagpiper Darragh Bollard did a wonderful job of leading Amy throughout Hamilton park to show her gold medal to residents with wondrous applause. Residents and families gathered for what was a magical day. Local marketers had their stalls set out with lots of goodies for sale. Musical entertainment was provided by a host of local talented musicians and singers. A great day was enjoyed by all.”

Hamilton Park also recently hosted a local sports star evening. This gave all residents the opportunity to meet and greet some local champions, including soccer, martial-arts, marathon running, motorcycle racing and sailing participants. All the sports stars were very happy to demonstrate their sporting talents to a captivated audience.

Residents are participating in an Adopt a Patch programme partnership with Fingal County Council. This enables the ‘green fingers’ within the nursing home to get their hands dirty in the local community. Gardeners within the nursing home are taking their tools to tidy and plant new flower beds that they have adopted in the community. “It gives them a sense of wellbeing and value,” Margaret comments.“Lots of new ideas for spring have been born while weeding and trimming.”

‘Home and away’ quizzes between the residents of Hamilton Park and nearby St Gabriel’s Nursing Home, Raheny, have recently been hosted. The quizzes have proven a very popular activity for all involved, with competitive fun being the order of the day.

Margaret discussed further the activities hosted by the nursing home: “We are lucky to have lots of excellent bakers amongst our residents. The Breakfast club is one of those activities that allows the resident to help themselves and gives them the opportunity to be independent. Each morning a group of residents cook their own breakfast and assist others to do the same. Under supervision this has proven to be a very popular daily event with the smell of home cooking wafting through the corridors making mouths-water.

“Day and evening trips are a weekly occurrence at Hamilton Park and with the assistance of our two mini-buses it means even more residents can participate. Our evening trips consist of visits to the village pub, cinema, quiz nights and theatre.”

She looks forward to the year ahead. “As we look back on the past year which also included our annual trips to Knock, summer barbeques, trips to the Zoo and local parks, we look forward to new plans and ideas for the future. Spring brings brighter evenings and the need to get outdoors more so our Men’s Shed will be introduced, as will our residents sponsored walk. Plans are aloft for our first St. Patricks day float in the local parade and our recently commenced camera club will begin its outings. Easter brings a historical 100 year anniversary of the 1916 rising and Hamilton Park doing a reenactment and planning for historical evenings and trips. With so much to look forward to we should be kept busy for some time to come.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Just some of the recent activities at Hamilton Park Care Facility: The ‘Adapt a Patch’ programme, cooking, art exhibition, sports star evening.

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F1 spirit!

102 Celebration!

The pace at which a nursing home resident moves about a nursing home was the symbol for a creative celebration for her 98th birthday.

Sister Gregory, a resident of St Gabriel’s, Raheny, Dublin, had her wheelchair lovingly created as a Formula One motor following on from the work of residents in the nursing home’s art and crafts class.

Sister Gregory’s sister, Sister Maureen, led the way in its creation and fun was to the fore in ‘bringing the wheelchair to Formula One life’. The reg? Sr-GD- 98 P

Resident Anna May Egan celebrating her 102nd birthday at Ashford House Nursing Home, Co Dublin, in December. Her birthday was celebrated at a special Mass, with celebrant Fr Martin Daly, who presented Anna May with the silver medal and letter which she received from President Michael D Higgins to mark the occasion of her birthday. The Mass was followed by a party for friends and family that Anna May thoroughly enjoyed! P

Fashion & celebration at St Camillus

Lights, camera action at Gowran Abbey

Residents of St Camillus, Killucan, Co Westmeath, recently hosted a fashion show. Marylin Monroe was a surprise visitor! A 100th birthday celebration was also a recent highlight P

Bishop Laurence Forristals ordination Diamond Jubilee was recently celebrated at Gowran Abbey, where he is now a resident. He was joined for Mass and refreshments by Bishop Séamus Freeman, Archbishop Tom White, Fr Sean O Laioghre and many of the Diocesan clergy. His sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, fellow residents and staff all enjoyed the occasion.

Over the festive period residents participated in a panto titled Faulty Abbey, which was a huge success, bringing laughter around the home. The play was set at the Faulty Abbey Hotel and featured characters from Mrs Browns Boys and Mrs Bouquet and family. For the staging of it, the nursing home was crowded with families and the atmosphere was magic. Step dancers, local musicians and carol singers also entertained the residents over the festive season and a visit to .the Arboretum Garden Centre in Leighlinbridge helped heighten the Christmas atmosphere P

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HIQA identify major Non-conformances regarding the Annual Review of the Quality and Safety of Care delivered Health Care Informed (HCI) has compiled a report on HIQA findings from a sample of 15 Nursing Homes inspected from October to December 2015. Six (6) of the inspections carried out were announced and nine (9) were unannounced visits. All of the announced visits were in relation to registration.

Under the 5 themes of Leadership, Governance and Management, Safe Care and Support, Effective Care and Support, Person Centred Care and Support and Workforce, the top three outcomes which had the most non conformances were: 1. Outcome 2: Governance and Management 2. Outcome 7: Safeguarding and Safety 3. Outcome 9: Medication Management Within Governance and Management, the key area of non-compliance related to the requirement for an annual review of the quality and safety of care delivered to residents.

Within four separate inspections, Inspectors sited major and moderate non-conformances relating to the annual report being not available for review, being insufficient to ensure effective monitoring of the care provided or the findings not being appropriately acted upon to improve the outcomes.

Major non-conformances where also identified within Safeguarding and Safety, specifically in relation to ineffective screening, or investigation, into allegations or suspicions of abuse. In certain instances the Persons in Charge were found to have a lack of understanding of the appropriate response to an allegation or suspicion of abuse.

Medication Management continues to raise concerns, with Inspectors identifying gaps in prescription and administration records and issues relating to consistencies in PRN medication administration.

Areas of good practise identified within the report were Outcome 14: End of Life Care, Outcome 4: Suitable Person in Charge and Outcome 17: Residents Clothing and Personal Property and Possessions. All of these themes were compliant throughout the residential care organisations with no breaches made in any of the 15 care centres.

For further information contact Health Care Informed (HCI) on 093 36126 or email info@healthcareinformed.com

NHI UPDATES Committed to excellence in care www.nhi.ie

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Deadline for physical environment works extended to all Nursing Homes The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) issued a regulatory notice in January stating the “revised Government policy”, announced by outgoing Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch in Dáil Éireann 4th November to extend the Authority’s physical environment compliance deadline from 2015 to 2021, would apply to all nursing homes.

Arising from the original announcement, NHI accused the Government of political interference with independent regulation and of exploiting the care and welfare requirements of older persons for political purposes. NHI said it brought into question the impartiality of HIQA as independent regulator.

HIQA stated within the regulatory notice: “To ensure equity of approach the Chief Inspector proposes to apply the revised Government policy to all registered designated centres for older persons be they public, private or voluntary”.

It further stated: “For providers considering Standard 25 [Physical Environment], it is important to differentiate

between the Standard itself and the supporting criteria. The Standard sets out the outcome that is expected in terms of the service provided to the service user. In the case of Standard 25, the desired outcome is that each resident can live their life in a setting where “the location, design and layout of the residential care setting are suitable for its stated purpose” and where the centre itself is “accessible, safe, hygienic, spacious and well maintained and meets residents’ individual and collective needs in a comfortable and homely way.

Demonstrating that the outcome is met is the key requirement falling on the provider.”

Where particular criteria are not met, HIQA said the provider must provide clear evidence of the other ways by which they are reaching the Standard and demonstrate that these are delivering on the Standard for each individual resident. “In the case of Standard 25, the Chief Inspector will require substantial and exceptional justification for any premises which purports to meet Standard 25 without implementation of the individual criteria,” it added.

Relive the NHI Care Awards 2015 See the glitz, glamour and the glory of the NHI Care Awards 2015 on YouTube. Irish TV was there to capture the action and highlights of the Awards include interviews with winners on the night, Event MC Gráinne Séoige, and Homecare Medical Supplies, the award sponsors.

Search “Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards 2015” on your YouTube search box.

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NHI: Revised policy ‘Electioneering’ NHI stated the announcement by the Government of the “revised policy” smacked on electioneering. “A key standard within HIQA’s National Quality Standards has now effectively been shredded and rewritten,” NHI CEO Tadhg Daly stated. “Compliance for public nursing homes is being put on the long finger – six years beyond the original deadline that was previously applicable for all nursing homes, public, private and voluntary.

The “revised policy,” which will now result in requirement for HSE nursing homes to comply with physical environment standards over a 12-year timeframe poses very serious questions regarding the commitment of the State to meet national quality standards within long-term residential care. These are people’s homes and pushing required compliance works back a further six years raises serious questions regarding State commitment towards quality of care within these settings.”

NHI promotes nursing home care via Irish Independent Nursing homes: Securing a Sustainable Future was published by NHI in conjunction with our biggest selling daily newspaper, the Irish Independent. The 12-page supplement outlined the very significant challenges facing the private and voluntary nursing home sector in care provision. It also provided an insight into life within nursing homes, with the experiences of nurses and nursing home residents featured. The most recent readership figures indicate the Irish Independent has a readership of 600,000+.

National Primary Care Partnership HI participated in the first National Primary Care Partnership that brought together a range of primary care representative organisations. Thought leaders from national GP, pharmaceutical, nursing, rehab, physio, patients, diabetes, nutrition, gerontology, chiropody and home care representative organisations presented at the conference that took place January 28th and 29th in Maynooth.

International speakers included Professor Mark Booth, Australian Commonwealth Department of Health; Dr. Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola, Director of the Center for Excellence in Primary Care, California; and Rikke Agergaard, who has responsibility for developing policy for primary care within the Danish health system.

The conference featured a series of workshops where practicing primary care providers used first-hand experience to create a blueprint for the future of primary care. Delegates participated in roundtable discussions on nine key topics: P How primary care can function with improved access to support services; P Improving primary care access for home care and residential care patients; P Prevention is the cure; P Integrating primary care and maximising technology; P Prioritising patients and managing the overload; P General practice, ambulatory care and emergency department; P Improving patient care in rural Ireland; P Improving patient care in an urban deprived environment; P Primary care – a vision for the future.

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The roundtable discussions are contributing to the creation of a consensus document, which is currently in development, to help expand the reach and capabilities of primary care, for the betterment of patients and the health system as a whole.

Chris Goodey, chairperson of the primary care partnership conference, said the answer to hospital overcrowding lies in a model of a community-based healthcare service. Expanding the reach and capabilities of community-based healthcare services will put an end to the apparently permanent and insoluble trolley crisis, he said.

“Hospitals should be somewhere people only go if they absolutely must, and when all other avenues have been explored,” he commented.

HSE Director General Tony O’Brien called for transitional investment to be ring-fenced to allow health to make the transformation into a more responsive health service

National speakers at the conference included Tony O’Brien, Director General of the HSE; Dr. Ronan Fawsitt, Chair ICGP Kilkenny, Primary Care Lead IEHG; Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, Director of Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing; Prof. Garry Courtney, Consultant Physician & Gastroenterologist, St. Luke’s Hospital; Dr. Conor McGee, President of NAGP. Tony O’Brien, HSE Director General, said teamwork and a united health service workforce are essential to secure the funding that is required to develop the health service that Irish society wants and deserves. “In health we are always fighting with each other and maybe I played my part in that too,” he said. “But if we are to design a new model of healthcare and win the opportunity to implement it, we have to do that together rather than against each other.”

He called for transitional investment to be ring-fenced to allow health to make the transformation into a more responsive health service where patients and society benefit from the resources available. He highlighted the case of Irish water where €150m was set aside “to get them from where they were to where they needed to be”.

“There is a sense in healthcare we can move from the model we have now to a societal model in a way that requires no transitional investment,” he said. “I call this the myth of cost-free transformation. I simply don’t believe it can be done. Particularly it cannot be done when the system is currently unable to meet the pent-up demand for services. In order to move to the healthcare system we need, which is a primary-care led system, we need transitional investment. We can’t do it on thin air.”

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO, spoke at the conference of the intrinsic role nursing home care fulfils in meeting our population’s longterm residential care requirements and rehabilitating and enhancing the quality of life of persons who require the dedicated care. He also said the dedicated health settings can fulfil critical roles in providing expanded care services such as respite and transitional care, home care and independent living. He said this requires engagement with the sector and a sustainable funding model to support them in meeting person’s health and social care needs.

Pictured at the Primary Care Partnership are, from left, Chris Goodey, CEO NAGP; Dr Yvonne Williams, Vice President NAGP; Dr Paul Grundy, Global Director of Healthcare Transformation, IBM.

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NHI UPDATES

Celebrate Nursing Home Care!

Nursing Homes Week 2016 – 13th - 19th June Nursing Homes Week, NHI’s annual national celebration promoting and recognising Nursing Home Care, will take place this year Monday 13th - Sunday 19th June. NHI Members are asked to note these dates in your nursing home calendar.

The national celebration, which takes places in communities across Ireland, brings nursing home residents, staff and wider communities together to celebrate the positivity of nursing home care.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO comments: “Our nursing homes and their staff are providing fantastic care that is enhancing the lives of people within these ‘homes-from-home’ and enabling them live happy, fulfilling lives. Nursing Homes Week provides us with a platform to come together to celebrate this wonderful care with residents, their family and friends, staff and wider communities. I’d encourage our Members to embrace this opportunity and to celebrate and promote the excellent care you and your staff are providing to those within your home and beyond.”

Last year a number of nursing homes engaged with local community groups during the celebrations. In particular, a number of youth and children’s groups were invited to nursing homes to engage with residents. This is encouraged again in 2016.

More novel celebrations included a Hawaiian-themed party, performance by a visiting American choir, street performances in a nursing home, culture days and there were a number of novelty themed parties.

This year’s celebrations will coincide with the Ireland soccer team’s participation in Euro 2016.

The week received considerable national media coverage, promoting and informing the wider public re nursing home care. NHI will support Members in promoting events within the nursing home and beyond.

If you feel you have a story within your home worthy of recognition email details to michael@nhi.ie.

Previous Nursing Homes Week celebrations are pictured.

We want resident 1916 stories To promote nursing home care during Nursing Homes Week, NHI is seeking Member assistance with two 1916 themed projects.

1916 Stories / Recollections Nursing home residents’ stories of 1916 should not be lost and NHI wants to bring these together. It should be noted 1916 marked not only the year of the Rising but also The Great War was underway. NHI Member residents may have direct recollections of these very historic times or

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more likely their immediate family passed on stories that have remained with them.

NHI wants their stories to be recorded and detail of what is sought is available by contacting Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications & Research Officer at 01 4292570 or by emailing michael@nhi.ie. We are seeking the stories by Friday 29th April.

1916 Project

NHI’s advises Today FM’s ‘Adopt a Granny’

NHI Seanad Éireann nomination

Today FM’s Anton Savage Show is encouraging its listeners to ‘Adopt a Granny’. The initiative started after a listener, Caroline English, emailed the show.

Caroline’s parents were both residents of Ryevale Nursing Home, Leixlip, and the 32year-old witnessed the wonderful care they received prior to their passing. Caroline noted not all the residents had family around them like her parents were lucky to have and she wanted to publicly encourage younger people, particularly children in schools, to engage on an ongoing basis with nursing home residents. She considered school children could be ‘matched’ with nursing home residents.

NHI provided advice to the wider public re the initiative. NHI has stated the overriding consideration regarding such visits is the nursing home is the person’s home and their wishes must be respected.

Outgoing Senator Colm Burke has been selected as the NHI nominee for the forthcoming Seanad Éireann election on the Industrial and Commercial panel. Senator Burke engaged extensively with NHI during the outgoing term of the Seanad to advance the very significant issues threatening the sustainability of providers and the sector at large. Senator Burke has committed, if elected, to advance the four key requirements that NHI has outlined are imperative to place our sector on a more sustainable and fair footing, namely: P Requirement for a funding model that recognises the reality of costs incurred to provide nursing home care; P Requirement for introduction of an independent appeals mechanism under the Fair Deal scheme; P Requirement for a health workforce plan that places the substantial growth in requirement for gerontological care at the centre of it; P Requirement for establishment of a ‘Forum on Long Term Care’ to consider and advise re appropriate planning and policy to ensure we sustain current provision and meet forthcoming growth in requirement.

Residents need to be consulted by the nursing home prior to a visit by a large group, to ensure they are comfortable and give consent to it. The children would need to be covered by insurance and volunteers over 16 would require Garda Vetting clearance. Nursing homes would require the visits to be supported by an adult volunteer who is Garda Vetted. It is at the discretion of the nursing home as to whether the volunteer can enter – even with Garda vetting. Children under 16 are not subject to Garda Vetting. The timing of the visits is important, as again it is important to realise this is the resident’s home and periods such as meal times would need to be respected. Providers / Directors of Nursing would generally be receptive towards facilitating visits by school children and intergenerational activity is strongly encouraged within many nursing homes.

NHI submission to Low Pay Commission Nursing Homes Ireland has informed the Low Pay Commission the unique position of the private and voluntary nursing home sector must be acknowledged on a formal basis through increase in fees payable to encompass wage increases. The Commission, which examines and makes recommendations to the Minister for Business and Employment on the appropriate level of the national minimum wage and related matters, invited submissions re the Minimum wage.

NHI’s submission informed private and voluntary nursing homes are in a unique position because their income is effectively set by the State through payments received to support a resident’s care through the Fair Deal scheme. NHI stated an increase in the national minimum wage leads to wage inflation and it is this “domino effect that could cause the greatest impact on our sector”. “This issue comes on the back of other increases to employment costs that have been driven by Government,” it added. “Given the current fees paid for nursing home care are not recognising the true costs – as stated within independent analyses – nursing homes are not in a position to increase pay and the ripple effect of rise in salaries arising because of any increase in the national minimum wage,” it added. “Any proposed increase in the national minimum wage and its impact on the nursing home sector must be costed and provided for by Government in the Fair Deal budget. A failure in this regard will signal non-recognition of increase in salaries that are being advanced by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

“NHI is of the view it is imperative the Low Pay Commission recognises the unique position the private and voluntary nursing home sector is placed within. In that regard, the Commission must acknowledge on a formal basis the necessity for the NTPF to recognise within fees payable to nursing homes any proposed increase in the minimum wage.”

Read the submission in full via the ‘Publications’ section of the NHI website (www.nhi.ie) under the ‘NHI Submissions’ category.

Who is our oldest nursing home resident?

NHI wishes to make a presentation to our oldest resident. NHI Members are encouraged to inform of the oldest resident residing in their nursing home. You are asked to inform of their age and date of birth by emailing michael@nhi.ie. Please note these details will not be shared further without consent of resident.

1916 Project

NHI NEWS — 14

www.careersinnursinghomes.ie Promoting careers in the Irish Nursing Home sector NHI continues to promote the NHI nurse recruitment careers website nationally and internationally. The dedicated NHI Member recruitment website is currently seeing over 2,000 unique new web-users visiting it on a monthly basis.

This website allows current vacancies to be uploaded as well as promoting individual nursing homes as a great places to work.

Remember to visit the website regularly as it becomes an eective recruitment tool for all.

The website is reaching candidates worldwide. We therefore urge you to upload your vacancies and promote your nursing home as this is one key tool we will use when meeting nurses in forthcoming recruitment drives.

For further information and a step by step guide to register your vacancy please contact helena@nhi.ie

SELECT NHI MEMBER SERVICES

NHI Webinars available to view online Recently, NHI has hosted a series of webinars to support Members in upskilling staff. The Webinars are available to view via the Members section of the NHI website, www.nhi.ie, for staff who may have missed them or want to view again.

Webinars hosted in recent weeks that are available to view include: P Dysphagia/SALT, sponsored by Fresenius Kabi. The webinar was delivered

by Aisling McEntee (SALT) and Lorraine Maher (Dietician).

P

Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse. The webinar was delivered

by Bridget McDaid, HSE Senior Safegaurding and Older Persons Officer.

P

Management of seizures in residential care settings. The webinar was delivered by Brenda Liggan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Epilepsy, Beaumont Hospital.

Theses webinars are delivered exclusively for NHI Members.

First Choice Purchasing

NHI Group Scheme Over €60,000 worth of savings were generated

by NHI Members using the organisation’s exclusive Group Purchasing scheme last year.

Over 4,000 visits were made to the site by NHI Members and the average saving generated per transaction was €30. The NHI Group scheme is provided to NHI Members to enhance the value of employment within their nursing homes. It offers a range of online and in-store discounts from leading brands and retailers. Offers are provided in travel, computers and internet, motoring, entertainment, eating out, fashion and clothing, health, sport & fitness, grocery

shopping, jewellery, beauty & cosmetics and more. The service is provided to Members for no additional cost. Well-known brands and companies that have participated in the group scheme include Arnotts, Amazon, Argos, Boots, Coast, Dyson, Easons, Hotels.com, Lenovo, M & S, Mao, Timberland, PC World, The Body Shop, Vision Express.

Are you an NHI Member nursing home employee not availing of the scheme? Ask your provider for your nursing home’s unique home code ID. Visit www.groupschemes.com

Royal Marsden Manual Free access to the well renowned and respected “Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures” is offered through NHI Membership. It provides NHI members with online access to over 190 clinical nursing procedures which are all evidenced based and updated every two years. The procedures are produced in a format which provides step by step actions and the rationale for each step. This promotes greater understanding and can be used as a teaching aid for staff. In addition there are introductory sections to each chapter which provides background text, definitions, anatomy and physiology, trouble-shooting, references and further reading.

Access is available via the Members section of the NHI website, www.nhi.ie.

Dementia Guidance An NHI information bulletin to provide information and guidance re dementia thematic inspections has recently been developed by NHI and is available via the Members section of the NHI website. HIQA dementia thematic inspection reports have been reviewed to inform the bulletin, along with feedback received from Members who have undergone such inspections.

The information bulletin provides details of findings and outcomes of inspections. NHI has also developed a Dementia Thematic Checklist Getting Ready for Dementia Thematic Inspections, as a separate resource to support nursing homes.

The dementia specific section of the website also provides dementia resources that can support nursing homes in providing care for persons with dementia. This includes quality measurement tools that have been used by some inspectors conducting dementia inspections.

17 — NHI NEWS

NHI Members continue to avail of the day-today cost savings availed of through utilising the services of First Choice Purchasing. It enables NHI Members to reduce costs within their nursing home. Members can avail of savings across a range of cost bases, including food, stationery, linen, medical, supplies, disposables, beverages, waste services. First Choice utilises its purchasing power with over 300 customers. All prices are electronically matched so that you can be sure that what was promised is being delivered.

To find out further re the services provided to NHI Members by First Choice Purchasing contact Eoghan Donnellan, General Manager, at 086 2295638.

ISME Membership Membership of NHI now entails Membership of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME). This enables Members avail of expert advice for queries relating to pay, contracts/conditions of employment, discipline and dismissals, employment legislation, health and safety, debt management. Commenting upon announcement of the partnership, Mark Fielding, CEO of ISME stated: "ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, is delighted to partner with Nursing Homes Ireland in the provision of general HR, business advice and support to their members. ISME is proactive in responding to the needs of small and medium businesses by providing a suite of services that support SMEs operating in pressurised business environment. We look forward to developing an efficient and effective working relationship with all the members and the executive of NHI."

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY NHI & Other upcoming events of interest

April

12 April

21 April

NHI National Education Day – HR issues for DON's, CNM's & PIC's Aimed at DON's, CNM's and PIC's, the education day will be facilitated by ISME (the Small and Medium Enterprises Association). It will take place in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin, from 10am to 4pm. Further details will be circulated to NHI Members.

Living Well with Dementia Conference The one day conference, which will be hosted at Northridge House Education & Research Centre, St Luke’s, Co Cork, will explore news topics and innovative approaches to follow on from the Living Well with Dementia Conference hosted in April 2015. Further details at www.stlukes.ie

27

Irish National Extended Care Medicine Association (INECMA) Conference INECMA aims to provide a forum for open learning, sharing of knowledge and best practice principles for clinicians and other health care professionals.

Details will be circulated to NHI Members.

May

NHI Education Webinar – Topic TBC

11 May

16-17 May

18 June

13-19 June

15 June

22 November

16

New developments, Innovative Practice – Sonas APC The Sonas APC Conference, in association with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, will focus on dementia care and a masterclass the following day will provide guidance on enhancing wellbeing for the caregiver and person with dementia. Visit www.sonasapc.ie NHI AGM 2016 The Nursing Homes Ireland Annual General Meeting will debate motions to advance the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes. The NHI Board of Directors for year ahead will also be elected. It will take place at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Co Dublin. A providers’ dinner will be held on the evening prior to the AGM at The Clarion Hotel on Tuesday, 17th May 2016 at 8pm. Detail will follow.

Nursing Homes Week 2016 The annual celebration to celebrate and promote nursing home care will run from Monday 13th June to Sunday 19th June. Nursing Homes Ireland Members will host celebratory events and activities that will bring residents, staff and visitors together to recognise the life enhancing role nursing home care is fulfilling nationally and within our local communities.

NHI National Education Day – Assisted Decision Making Capacity Bill & Revised HIQA Standards Taking place at Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, details will be circulated to NHI Members.

NHI Education Webinar – Topic TBC

September

21

NHI National Education Day – Topic TBC

NHI Annual Conference & Care Awards 2016 The NHI Annual Conference & Care Awards are returning to Citywest Hotel. Once again an excellent line-up of national and international speakers will discuss care of older persons, wider healthcare delivery, and best practice in gerontological care. Post conference we will recognise and honour care excellence within our sector at the NHI Care Awards 2016. A speaker you want to hear from at the conference? Email your suggestions to admin@nhi.ie NHI NEWS — 18

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing,� C.S. Lewis

13th June – 19th June 2016

Join hundreds of nursing homes across Ireland in celebrating Nursing Home Life!

NURSING HOMES WEE K 2 016

NHI: It ’s the people that make the difference

Poster print & design by Collins Print & Packaging Ltd, Kilbarry Business Park, Dublin Hill, Co Cork. Telephone: 021 4909160 NHI thanks Collins Print for their support of Nursing Homes Week 2015.

GENERAL ELECTION 2016

Sectors ‘key requirements’ put before General Election candidates Within the 40 General Election constituencies across the country, NHI Members engaged with candidates during the campaign to inform them of the pressures upon our sector and measures required to support a sustainable nursing home sector.

NHI supported individual Members in their representations and a series of meetings were hosted by Members in their constituencies to bring them together with candidates and to directly inform of the significant challenges private and voluntary nursing homes face in care provision.

Securing a Sustainable Future, our General Election campaign, stated four key requirements are necessary to place the private and voluntary nursing home sector on a more sustainable footing. These are: P A funding model that recognises the reality of costs incurred to provide nursing home care is imperative. Fees payable for nursing home care must reflect the reality of costs incurred, for example, capital investment, staffing, regulatory compliance, training, energy, and commercial rates. A sustainable nursing home sector is dependent on providers receiving an adequate return on capital employed. Levels of dependency and complexity of care requirements must be encompassed within the payment model to support persons requiring nursing home care.

P Requirement for introduction of an independent appeals process under the Fair Deal scheme. Nursing home providers who are dissatisfied with the fee proposed by the NTPF must be afforded the opportunity for fair right of independent appeal.

P Implementation of a workforce plan for the entire health service (public, private and voluntary) that will place the substantial growth in requirement for gerontological care at the centre of it.

P The Government / Department of Health to take a lead in bringing stakeholders around the table to take lead in bringing stakeholders around the table through a ‘Forum on Long-Term Care’ to consider and advise re the appropriate planning and policy required to ensure we sustain current

21 — NHI NEWS

provision and meet substantial growth in requirement for this specialist care. The National Economic and Social Council has previously recommended establishment of such a forum.

Members reported very constructive engagement with general election candidates arising from their pre-election meetings.

NHI’s general election booklet provided a concise overview of nursing home care. It outlined the critical and central role it fulfils in supporting healthcare delivery and job facilitation.

Politicians were informed via the booklet of the sustainability of nursing home care being threatened by the limitation of the Fair Deal funding model, and private and voluntary providers being tasked with providing care for average fee that is nationally 58% below those paid to HSE counterparts.

It featured extracts from the body of independent evidence informing of the issues arising with fees payable for nursing home care. Published only in December, the Department of Health commissioned DKM Economic Consultants report Potential Measures to Encourage the Provision of Nursing Home and Community Nursing Unit Facilities highlighted the current payment model is not fit for purpose, lacking logic and fees are deciphered in an ad-hoc manner. The briefing also highlighted Dementia Services Information and Development Centre research stating Fair Deal payments made through the NTPF need to be commensurate with levels of care, staff training and skill mix.

A map of Ireland detailed the number of nursing homes, bed numbers and persons employed by the sector in counties across Ireland.

“With an appropriate funding model, future requirements for nursing home care can be met by the current experienced providers operating in communities across Ireland,” the briefing stated.

NHI’s Pre-Election Party & Candidate Survey Prior to the General Election, NHI asked parties to commit their support towards advancing our sector by ‘endorsing’ NHI’s ‘key asks’ to support sustainability within our sector. The asks were: P

Do you endorse Nursing Homes Ireland’s call for introduction of a funding model that recognises the reality of costs incurred to provide nursing home care?

P

Do you endorse Nursing Homes Ireland’s call for introduction of an independent appeals process under the Fair Deal scheme?

P

Nursing Homes Ireland is impressing upon Government urgent and imperative requirement for a workforce plan for the entire health service – public, private and voluntary – that will place the substantial growth in requirement for gerontological care at the centre of it. Do you support this objective?

P

Nursing Homes Ireland is calling Government / Department of Health to take a lead in bringing stakeholders around the table through a ‘Forum on Long-Term Care’ to consider and advise re the appropriate planning and policy required ensure we sustain current provision and meet substantial growth in requirement for this specialist care. Do you support this objective?

The options provided for answer were ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘should be for programme for Government discussions’.

Disappointingly, Fine Gael did not respond to the survey.

Responding on behalf of his party, Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson

Deputy Billy Kelleher stated long term residential care needs longterm planning and if returned to power the party would “immediately move” to establish a Department of Health led forum “to consider and develop appropriate policy relating to long-term care of our older population”. He provided a positive response to the four requirements outlined by NHI in its survey.

Sinn Féin Health Spokesman Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin provided a ‘yes’ to each of the survey requirements. The Labour party stated it is committed to supporting high quality and sustainable nursing homes and supporting older people who may need access to nursing home care. It referred to the review of the Fair Deal scheme, stating “further work will be undertaken by the National Treatment Purchase Fund to examine their current pricing arrangements with view to ensuring adequate residential capacity for those with complex care needs, providing value and increasing transparency, and to submit future pricing proposals to the Minister.”

The Social Democrats stated in its reply it is a fledgling party and does not yet have a defined set of policies in relation to the issues raised by NHI. It committed to direct research efforts towards exploring them further and to engagement with NHI during the course of its policy-making process post-election.

Renua committed within the survey to support NHI's call for establishment of a health workforce plan incorporating the substantial growth in requirement for gerontological care at the centre of it. It also committed to NHI call for establishment of a longterm care forum.

NHI General Election Healthcare Debate Outgoing Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch stated the level of care that people receive for nursing home care should determine the Fair Deal fee as opposed to geographic location. She was speaking at the NHI pre-election healthcare debate that took place at the O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel, Dublin 2, on 20th January. It brought together NHI Members and political party health spokespersons. “I do think we are at the point now where it has to be about the level of care that the individual needs within the nursing home rather than where the nursing home is located or what the fee is set for a particular location,” she said.

At the debate, Deputy Regina Doherty represented Fine Gael, Deputy Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Féin, and Deputy Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats. It was chaired by broadcaster John Bowman.

Greater transparency is required to acknowledge differing care requirements for persons requiring nursing home care, Deputy Doherty stated. Deputy Kelleher said a “partnership approach” is required with the private sector to meet older persons’ nursing home care requirements. “In doing that, I don’t expect the private sector to be able to invest without there being a return,” he added. “And it is to get that balance between the profit that is required to fund that investment.”

Deputy Ó Caoláin said “greater financial support” in specific instances will be required to meet persons’ care requirements. There is requirement for an “evidence-based approach” to decipher fees payable, Deputy Murphy said.

Watch highlights of the NHI Healthcare debate on the NHI YouTube channel. Search within YouTube for ‘NHI Healthcare Debate 2016’.

NHI NEWS — 22

HSE SERVICE PLAN 2016

Increased Fair Deal support for year 2016 – HSE Service Plan Nursing Homes Ireland has welcomed the commitment of additional funding within the HSE Service Plan for year 2016 to enable timely access to nursing home care. However, it also stated funding to support nursing home care must become cognisant of the increasing costs being incurred by nursing home providers in an escalating cost environment.

The Plan is committing to support an additional 649 persons based upon revised projections within its 2015 plan and an additional allocation of €35m.

Responding to publication of the Plan in December, Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO stated: “Ministers Varadkar and Lynch have acknowledged there are issues arising between fees payable under the Fair Deal scheme and the realities of cost of care provision. To their credit, Ministers Varadkar and Lynch have recognised the critical importance of timely access to nursing home care and wider impact this has upon wider health services. But funding to support nursing home must also become cognisant of the realities of the true costs of providing this specialist care.

Pressures upon providers, who are operating within an escalating cost environment, are extensively increasing. Unacceptably, the gap between the NTPF, acting on behalf of the State to negotiate fees, and providers of care is widening. Our Members are warning a dangerous crisis is emerging because of State failure to recognise the reality of costs being incurred. This is having a severe impact upon staffing and threatening the sustainability of current provision. The commitment to funding within the Department and HSE must move to recognise the true realities of providing such care and resource accordingly. At the heart of this issue is the increasing numbers of older persons with increasingly complex healthcare requirements who need the dedicated, specialist care provided by nursing homes 24/7.”

Mr Daly said NHI welcomes the increase in funding for the Fair Deal scheme and referred to comments by Minister Varadkar that timely access to nursing home care has effectively provided the health service with the equivalent of a new medium-sized hospital.

However, he added: “We reiterate our calls for an independent appeals process, to provide required transparency in the nursing home fee negotiation process, and for introduction of an evidence-based funding model that reflects true costs of care.”

WHAT IS WITHIN THE 2016 SERVICE PLAN? The Service Plan commits to support “23,450 clients per week during the duration of 2016, representing 1,222,750 total weeks of care provided”. The HSE Service Plan for year 2015 initially committed to support 22,361 persons, so the 2016 target would represent an increase of 1,089 persons.

P Service Plan Extract: “The 2015 NSP target activity level for NHSS was 22,361 clients per week. Additional funding was provided in April 2015 as part of the €74m delayed discharge initiative to reduce the NHSS waiting list to no more than four weeks. The revised projection for 2015 is an average of 22,801 clients per week.

The provision of €940m will see this level of support increase to an average of 23,450 per week for the duration of 2016. This is an increase of 649 clients per week on the 2015 projection.”

P “Improvements in services for older people will see NHSS (A Fair Deal) delivering 1,222,750 total weeks of care supporting an average of 23,450 per week, up 649 per week on 2015, together with full year implementation of 214 public short stay beds including a dedicated community hospital for Dublin at Mount Carmel Hospital.”

P “The additional funding provision received in 2015 for the delayed discharges initiative made a significant impact on delayed discharges reducing them from a high of over 800 to the November figure of 558 through the provision of additional funding to the NHSS together with additional funding for transitional care beds and home care.”

P Excluding the contribution of residents supported by the scheme, the Fair Deal budget for year 2016 is €940m. The projected outturn for Fair Deal spend for year 2015 is €905m and commitment in Service Plan 2015 was originally €873.9m.

P The Service Plan cites moving beyond the four week waiting period for Fair Deal funding approval as being a risk to delivery of the service plan.

P

Sometimes you just need help.

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Business Development & Project Management I Governance Clinical Governance I Regulatory Matters I Development & Training HR & Industrial Relations Tel.: 087 9031661 / 087 9282151 | Email: info@brodhealthcare.com

www.brodhealthcare.com

DKM ANALYSIS

Department report underlines significant shortcomings of Fair Deal model The Department of Health has been warned the pricing model to support persons requiring nursing home care operates in an ad-hoc manner, lacks rationale, consistency and fairness, and is unsustainable.

The findings within the recently published, Department commissioned, DKM report Potential Measures to Encourage Provision of Nursing Home & Community Nursing Unit Facilities are of seismic importance according to NHI, highlighting the significant shortcomings of the present funding model to support nursing home care.

The report described the fee negotiated with each nursing home for care provision as being derived from ad-hoc negotiation, with the current approach for negotiation being limited. It stated fee agreements struck don’t reflect dependency levels of residents or nursing home costs. It pointed to a range of “well-established objective tools” that could be utilised by the NTPF to assess resident dependency levels and determine nursing home staffing levels.

DKM further stated it is untenable for HIQA to assess differentiated dependency levels within nursing homes and impose associated costs, while the NTPF claims it is unable to reflect the same cost factor in its pricing decisions.

Referencing the vast discrepancies in fees paid, DKM said it knows of no other area in the procurement of State services where such price variations exist.

NHI has stated it is imperative the recommendations within the report are acted upon by the incoming Government. Our pre-election campaign briefing material for politicians referenced findings within the independent analysis.

WHAT FINDINGS WERE WITHIN THE REPORT? The report stated: P “The Nursing Home sector in Ireland is a very substantial sector of the economy. Through the Fair Deal Scheme the State procures several hundred million Euros worth of services annually from private nursing homes. While the scheme has delivered many benefits and is a significant advance on what was in place heretofore, its current pricing model operates in an ad hoc manner, lacks rationale, consistency and fairness, only applies to the private sector, and in the long run is unsustainable. “ P “The system leads to uncertainty on future income, payments do not reflect efficient cost levels in many areas outside Dublin, and do not reflect the degree of dependency of residents.”

P “The lack of reference to efficient cost levels and return on efficient capital in the Fair Deal negotiations represents a disconnect from the reality that the State expects the private sector to potentially provide 80% of nursing home capacity going forward. It is unsustainable in terms both of rational market operation and enabling new investment in areas of the country where payment rates are lower.”

P “Our consultations and analysis indicate that the main barrier to new investment in nursing homes is how the pricing model of the Fair Deal Scheme is operated with regard to private nursing homes.

This manifests itself in terms of: 1. Uncertainty around future income streams; 2. Inadequate income levels to enable a return on investment in many parts of the country outside Dublin; 3. Lack of reference to dependency levels of residents.”

The report highlighted ‘Uncertainty’ with regard to the Fair Deal scheme. It stated: P “Because the scheme does not address different levels of dependency in patient care, it increases risk for operators with respect to deterioration of residents subsequent to their admittance, and discourages some of the more sophisticated financing options.”

P “There is no standard objective assessment basis for setting the price, related to either efficient capital and operating costs or the level of dependency of residents; while the NTPF does use some

27 — NHI NEWS

benchmarks, in the final analysis the rate for each nursing home is a matter for ad hoc negotiation. The most important factor appears to be the “going rate” in the particular county.”

P “Long term price deals are difficult to negotiate. The NTPF has indicated that there are no constraints from their perspective on agreeing long term price deals, and indeed has agreed terms for as long as nine years. However, because the prices struck don’t reflect dependency levels or nursing home costs, operators are reluctant to enter into long term deals, as they hope to negotiate a better deal in the future. Our understanding is that any longer term deals entered into to date have been in Dublin, where prices are much higher than in the rest of the country.”

It further stated: P “There is a very significant range in Fair Deal weekly payment rates geographically, from below €600 to in excess of €1,300. We know of no other area of State procurement of services where such price variation exists.”

It assessed lack of reference to the levels of dependency of residents within the current fee structure, stating: P “Lack of reference to the level of dependency of residents: (i) discourages the development of more specialised facilities (for dementia, etc.) where more expensive care is required, and (ii) creates an incentive to actively discourage acceptance of highdependency residents by nursing homes.”

P “We can understand the NTPF’s reluctance to introduce payment differentiation related to levels of dependency up to a point.

However, there is a range of well-established objective tools for evaluating dependency levels, and HIQA assesses resident dependency levels in determining whether nursing home staffing levels, among other things, are adequate. The latter has direct implications for nursing homes’ costs.”

P “In short, it is untenable that the State quality regulator can assess differentiated dependency levels and in doing so impose costs on nursing homes, while the State price regulator claims it is unable to reflect the same factor in its pricing decisions.”

P “In summary, given the level of services the Exchequer procures from the private nursing home sector, several hundred million Euros per annum, the pricing model for doing so has developed in an ad hoc way, and lacks rationale, consistency and fairness.”

It also assessed the issue of staffing. Under the Suitably Qualified Staff heading it stated: P “The availability of suitably qualified staff appears to be an increasingly important issue for the private sector, both in terms of nurses and management. With respect to nurses, issues include: a dependence on overseas recruitment; a the process of adaptation of overseas recruits in order to gain registration in Ireland, which is dependent on the public hospital system and NMBI; it is noted that registration is significantly slower than in the UK, taking months instead of weeks; a competition for staff with the HSE, now that the latter has recommenced hiring. We note that the HSE itself is experiencing difficulties in recruiting staff in the care of older persons area at the moment.”

WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DID THE REPORT CONTAIN? P There is requirement for proper structuring of the Fair scheme to support investment by the private sector.

P Access to equity via the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) or a State investment lending fund could be of assistance in supporting the private sector further develop.

NHI: Stark findings within report emphasise imperative requirement for appropriate fee model Upon publication of the report 21st December, Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO stated: “The significance of the findings and recommendations within this report should not be underestimated. They should represent a defining moment for provision of nursing home care in Ireland and for provision of healthcare within this country. We welcome the findings of this independent analysis of nursing home care. They support NHI’s consistent pronouncements during the term of this Government and prior that the pricing model to support nursing home care is not fit for purpose. As consistently stated, it is threatening the sustainability of providers and stifling their ability to meet the rapid growth in requirement for nursing home care. This report highlights the paucity of the Fair Deal review, which raised questions surrounding the suitability and transparency of the pricing model, but put the issue of addressing it on the long-finger.

“The stark findings within this analysis highlight the absurdity of this Government not addressing the very serious issues surrounding care provision within the nursing home sector in an urgent and meaningful way.

“NHI previously warned our sector is on the cusp of an emergency, with the very serious issues surrounding fee provision for nursing home care being to the fore. ‘We’re already in emergency mode within our acute services and let’s not move the nursing home sector onto such a footing. This report further emphasises the imperative requirement for the pricing model to be properly cognisant of nursing home resident’s care requirements and to encompass the significant capital costs to provide this specialist care. I urge the Department and Government to rapidly act.”

IMPORTANT

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NHI NEWS — 28

MY NURSING HOME LIFE

‘Why a Nurse Should Really Consider Working in a Nursing Home’

At the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards 2015, Laura Sheridan, Senior Nurse at Maypark House in Co Waterford, was named NHI Registered Nurse of the Year.

Laura writes of working within an environment that encourages and facilitates continuous personal and professional development to enable her enhance the clinical, psychological and social care experiences of the residents in her care.

2016 marks my seventh year working in the private nursing home sector. The role I am fulfilling is immensely rewarding and fulfilling. On a daily basis I engage with inspirational people, providing high-skilled care within a dedicated health setting that places continuous emphasis upon utilisation and enhancement of my clinical skills and demands best practice in care provision. I had never intended to work in care of the elderly for such a long period. However once I identified the challenges associated with such a role and accepted the offers for further professional development, there was no stopping me.

Since assuming the role, I’ve been given and continue to receive the opportunities to undergo training in many different areas. This professional development has included venepuncture, medication management, wound care and elder abuse training, to name but a few.

Externally, supported by the nursing home, I have completed a Higher Certificate in Gerontology, Supervisory Management, and Health and Safety Management. Most recently I completed a European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care with The Milford Care Centre. With this I plan to go on and complete my Masters in Palliative Care.

For me, further training and education is useless if you are not in an environment where you can put it into practice. Maypark allows me to push myself professionally to better my care in every aspect. Continuous improvements in clinical care along with policy development and implementation allow me to be creative and stay in line with the most up-to-date research and best practice. Never before have I worked in such a supportive environment. This is allowing me to enhance the

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clinical, psychological and social care experiences of our residents in such a diverse and interesting manner and to become a decision maker to improve that care further.

These seven years have changed me both professionally and as a person. I feel confident to coordinate care for over forty residents, problem solve under pressure, manage staff and run an emergency situation such as a cardiac arrest. Teamwork is everything in this environment. We are driven by the need to provide a high standard of care for our residents, always striving to excel in providing the best clinical, health and social care, whilst maintaining the homely environment our residents are living within.

A bonus not associated with other work settings and of immense daily satisfaction is the ongoing engagement with the wonderful residents. They become a second family and the rapport you develop with them is like nothing else.

They trust you and you want to be a better nurse for them.

To go home feeling they are safe, happy and you’ve met their care requirements and supported them in living fulfilling lives makes all the hard work worthwhile.

The emphasis upon professional development, coupled with the unprecedented job satisfaction of engaging with the wonderful people in your care on a daily basis, make nursing in a nursing home immensely rewarding and satisfying. A nurse who feels working in a nursing home is not a worthwhile career and not "proper nursing" has clearly never worked in one.

Interested in pursuing a nursing career in a nursing home? Visit www.careersinnursinghomes.ie

END OF LIFE CARE

A Journey of Change Over 100 public and private residential care centres across Ireland are currently taking part in the Irish Hospice Foundation’s programme A Journey of Change. Anna de Siun, National Development Coordinator, Residential Care, Healthcare Programmes at the Irish Hospice Foundation outlines practices in residential care arising within participating nursing homes.

Pictured are the Compassionate End of Life group at Kiltipper Woods Care Centre, Dublin 24, undertaking their CEOL workshop.

The programme, which was developed specifically for staff working in residential care centres for older people, is based on a continuous quality improvement approach to developing endof-life care.

Good end-of-life care can only be delivered where there is recognition of the uniqueness of each person’s journey through life, and a shared understanding of the role each member of staff plays in supporting and respecting each individual on that journey. A range of resources, workshops and on-line supports have been developed as part of A Journey of Change to support the delivery and continuous development of good end-of-life care.

A series of onsite workshops guide staff to: P Reflect on the end-of-life care culture and practices in their residential care centre and develop a shared vision for end-oflife care.

P Facilitate a Compassionate End of Life (CEOL) Review meeting after the death of a resident.

P Implement meaningful change, where change is needed.

P Champion compassionate, individualised end-of-life care.

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CEOL REVIEWS Facilitating a compassionate end of life care review meeting after the death of a resident provides a space for staff to come together to remember the person who has died, and to acknowledge that loss. The review meeting is also an opportunity for staff to discuss what went well, what didn’t go well, and what they would have liked to do differently.

Staff are supported to consider what they would like to change from a personal perspective, a team perspective and from an organisational perspective. Discussions centre around eight domains essential to the delivery of good end-of-life care.

MAKING CHANGE In order to ensure that residents’ receive high quality end-of-life care, residential care centres taking part in A Journey of Change have initiated a number of innovative bespoke change projects, including; P reviewing advanced care planning practices P having a named nurse each day that the family can liaise with

P P P P P

upgrading the family overnight room having a memorial for the duration of the days of a residents funeral setting up a text alert system encompassing all staff to notify them of a residents death instigating a guard of honour when a deceased resident is being moved from the residential care centre reviewing do not resuscitate procedures and policy

Residential care centres have reported that taking part in the programme has also led to a number of cultural and attitudinal changes, including: P increased awareness that discussing end-of-life care with residents can happen from admission P awareness that not talking about a death could be more upsetting for other residents P increased communication with families – including future care on admission

THE END-OF-LIFE CARE TOOLKIT The End-of-Life Care Toolkit is a tangible resource that allows staff working in residential care for older people to access practical, relevant information on providing excellent end-oflife care.

The structure of the end-of-life care toolkit allows staff access relevant information on particular aspects of end-of-life care quickly and easily. Each section can also be used as a stand-alone piece to support staff education and development. Taken together the information in the toolkit provides a coherent overview of the delivery of high quality end-of-life care.

A Journey of Change workshops are currently being facilitated by the Irish Hospice Foundation in the Mid-West, South, North West and Dublin, and in partnership with the HSE in the Midlands and Dublin North-West Areas. Further information on the programme can obtained by contacting Pamela Withero at ajourneyofchange@hospicefoundation.ie

About the Irish Hospice Foundation The Irish Hospice Foundation is a national charity dedicated to all matters relating to dying, death and bereavement in Ireland. Currently approximately 25% of Irish deaths every year - 7,500 - occur in a residential care setting. The Foundation was established in 1986 to fund and develop specific hospice services and its work has expanded to address the needs of people dying in hospitals, at home and in other care settings. The Foundation works to provide equity in access to palliative care services for all patients with life limiting illness.

The Foundation also promotes discussion on a broad range of issues related to dying, death and bereavement, in order to identify what matters most to Irish people at the end of life and how best to address their concerns.

Nominate your nursing home for End of Life Care!

Nursing Homes Ireland’s End of Life Care Award, sponsored by the Hospice Foundation, is open to all NHI registered nursing homes.

The award was established last year to celebrate innovative practices in end of life care that are happening in Irish nursing homes.

Excellent end of life care is person centred, flexible and is built around the needs of the individual, with the resident always at the heart of every decision. It is a holistic approach to care that responds to the person’s physical, social, spiritual and psychological strengths and needs, and also considers the needs of the person’s family/friends.

Each year in Ireland, approximately 7,500 people die in long terms settings, and every staff member in these settings plays a crucial role in ensuring that every resident receives compassionate end of life care and their family get the support they need.

Nursing homes are sensitively developing quality initiatives that support the resident, their family/friends and staff to ensure

that compassion and dignity is a constant for all as a resident approaches the end of their life and that there is appropriate levels of support for those who need it following the death of a resident.

This area of work requires kind and considered leadership so that the quality initiatives introduced have the required and lasting impact on culture of end of life care provided in the nursing home.

The End of Life Care Award wants to acknowledge and recognise the innovation that is happening.

Nominations will open in the coming weeks for the NHI Care Awards and the specific End of Life Care Award category. We urge nursing homes to recognise their excellent practices in End of Life care and submit nominations. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate significant success they have achieved in introducing quality improvements in end of life care. The innovation should demonstrate the positive difference this improvement has made to the resident, their friends/family and staff. NHI will notify all when the Awards nomination process opens.

NHI NEWS — 34

N O RT H R I D G E HOUSE E D U C AT I O N & RESEARCH CENTRE

LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA 2 Person Centred Approaches

NEW TOPICS - NEW INSIGHTS THURSDAY 21ST APRIL 2016

RADISSON BLU HOTEL, LITTLE ISLAND, CORK

This conference will be of interest to all healthcare professionals working with older people in Residential & Acute settings

KEY NOTE SPEAKER: Professor Brendan Mc Cormack, Head of Division of Nursing, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

PLUS... Masterclasses

Friday 22nd April at Northridge House, Cork.

1: Prof. Brendan Mc Cormack Topic: ‘Do we care, how do we care: being person-centred’ 2. Dr. Elizabeth Weathers and Rev. Bruce Pierce Topic: ‘Spirituality - addressing the deeper needs within a residential care setting’

TOPIC: ‘Person-centeredness and people living with Dementia - Creating Flourishing communities’.

Conference & Masterclass pricing: Conference only: €100 1 Masterclass only: €50 Conference plus 1 Masterclass: €140 Conference plus 2 Masterclasses: €175 2 Masterclasses only: €90

Main Sponsor

Book early

to avo disappoin id tment

CONTACT DETAILS

Ms. Claire Coakley T: 021 4536551 E: education@stlukeshome.ie

Limited places available, book early to avoid disappointment. NMBI (Category 1) accreditation pending

NORTHRIDGE HOUSE EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTRE, CASTLE ROAD, MAHON, CORK T12 H970.

STLUKESHOMEEDUCATIONCENTRE FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.STLUKESHOME.IE/EDUCATION-CENTRE •

C

ST LUKE’S CONFERENCE

Are we celebrating Kitwood’s legacy?

Professor Brendan McCormack will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with developing a person-centred culture in care settings at an upcoming conference in Co. Cork.

S

ince Tom Kitwood wrote his seminal text Dementia Reconsidered: The Person Comes First (1997), there has been a proliferation of research and development into models, theories and frameworks that have the intention of humanising the experiences of people living with a dementia. Kitwood’s theory of personhood has been oftcited, regularly used/abused and indeed challenged, as new insights into the lived experiences of people with a dementia unfold and unfurl.

There have been considerable advances in care practices with people with a dementia over the past 15 to 20 years.

Many of the institutional abusive practices that dominated are no longer acceptable. Major innovations in personcentred practices have occurred. This is to be congratulated and celebrated. However, it would be naïve to think that all is well in the world of dementia care.

Scandals continue to haunt us and whilst major and significant landmark events such as that of ‘MidStaffordshire’ [a sandal concerning poor care and high mortality rates amongst patients at the Stafford Hospital, England] are not specific to people with dementia or staff who work with them, the issues it raises and lessons learned certainly do apply. The fact that we have national dementia strategies, national implementation programmes and national practice development programmes should mean that we are well equipped to radically reform the world of dementia care and to be in a better place than ever to celebrate Kitwood’s legacy. But are we celebrating it?

Since 1997, it is certainly the case that many models, theories and frameworks have been developed all with the intention of helping society - in its broadest context - to be person-centred. To a large extent, these models, theories and frameworks appear to perpetuate a position that the solutions are externally derived and outside our immediate control and that radical steps are needed to reform dementia care practices. Within my conference presentation, PersonCentredness and People living with Dementia - Creating Flourishing Communities, I will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with developing a person-centred culture in care settings. The important functions of leadership, management, strategic engagement, effective team-working and expert practice will be explored. Evidence will be presented to illustrate how a person-centred culture can be achieved – a culture to enable all persons to ‘flourish’.

The concept of flourishing will be explored and it will be argued that creating flourishing places is a collective responsibility of all staff, leaders and managers, and is one that is THE key function of the registered nurse in providing care to people living with dementia. These issues will be further developed and explored in the Conference masterclass Do we care, how do we care: being person-centred.

Professor Brendan McCormack will present at the Living Well with Dementia – Part 2 Conference that is being hosted by St Luke’s Home, Co Cork, and will take place Thursday 21st April.

Professor McCormack is Head of the Division of Nursing/ Head of QMU Graduate School at the School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

NHI NEWS — 36

NATIONAL DEMENTIA CONFERENCE

Dementia roadmap to be outlined

It’s costing €27.5million and is a major undertaking that spans healthcare, education, public awareness and community supports.

Ireland’s first National Dementia Strategy is underway.

Mary Manning, Inspector Manager, HIQA, will be setting out the implementation plan at the 8th National Dementia Conference.

The roadmap has six priority areas and Mary will detail how they're going to be rolled out. It's a major piece of work.

There are now more than 48,000 people in Ireland with dementia and that number is set to more than double in the next twenty years. Residential care and hospital services are coming under increasing strain as high care needs and inadequate community supports put pressure on family carers. Recent Irish research showed that up 80% of people in residential care had some

level of cognitive impairment or a diagnosis of dementia. And so HIQA has turned its laser beam to dementia care in residential care and hospital services. The National Dementia Thematic Monitoring Programme was put in place in mid 2015. To date, a relatively small number of care centres have gone through the programme, as the programme was reviewed, revised and evaluated. Full national rollout is now underway, with all centres set to be assessed over the next year to 18 months. Ms O’Donnell will be reflecting on the dementia thematic programme’s implementation to date, and the road ahead.

In addition to efforts to drive up standards of dementia care, the government is seeking to improve quality of life for people living with dementia and their families more broadly, and support the development of a dementia-friendly Ireland.

The National Dementia Strategy’s priority areas are: 1. Leadership The National Dementia Office has been established to oversee the implementation of the strategy. The NDO team will liaise with the organisations and groups that head up the various arms of the strategy, together with monitoring groups.

2. Timely diagnosis and intervention A national training programme for GPs to encourage timely diagnosis and intervention is the focus here, under a project called PREPARED (Primary Care Education, Pathways and Research of Dementia).

3. Integrated services and supports Intensive home supports, tailored to the individual needs of the person with dementia, will be provided to an agreed number of families in this action area.

4. Training and Education Building on the HSE’s National Dementia Education project and in conjunction with partners like the Dementia Elevator Programme at Dublin City University, work will include the development of further resources for healthcare professionals and carers in all settings.

5. Research and information systems Efficient information systems support better care, and that’s the focus here, within acute and primary care settings. Dementia registers will also be established.

6. Better awareness and understanding The HSE Health and Wellbeing and Communications divisions are leading a major Dementia Friendly Ireland campaign that will be broadcast on print, broadcast and digital media in mid 2016. The campaign involves all the key dementia stakeholders in Ireland.

National Dementia Care Conference - 16th & 17th May Keep up to date with the fastest growing healthcare challenge in Ireland at the 8th National Dementia Conference. Delivered by Sonas apc in association with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the conference will take place at Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre, 16th and 17th May, 2016.

Ireland’s biggest annual dementia conference & exhibition,

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it will feature 20+ speakers, a range of parallel sessions, workshops and master classes. Speakers include Prof Ian Robertson, Mary O’Donnell, Prof Bob Woods, Mary Manning, Dr Siobhán Kennelly and Prof Mary McCarron.

To book your Early Bird place and for full programme go to www.sonasapc.ie or call (01) 260 8138.

CINEMOBILE

Bringing a cinema experience to your nursing home C

inemobile is a registered charity and a not for profit organisation. Based in Galway it operates nationally, travelling all over the country on a variety of programmes, working with schools, film festivals and community festivals.

Noreen Collins, Cinemobile’s Manager, explains: “We are always looking at new ways to use this unique facility. It’s a 100 seater cinema but it can also serve as a multi-disciplinary venue; we’ve had everything from Tommy Tiernan doing a comedy show to live bands playing in our venue. And we can park in a huge variety of locations; we’ve parked in school grounds, church car parks and even mart yard car parks - you name it we’ve been there!”

Noreen explains where the idea of offering the service to nursing homes originated: “My own father is in a nursing home in my home village of Drimoleague in West Cork and I can see first hand all the great and kind work that goes into making life for the residents as fulsome as possible. One day while visiting my father I just thought what a lovely treat it would be for residents if the cinema experience could be replicated right outside their door, allowing them to watch the latest film release or a favourite old classic.”

Cinemobile provide the venue and the projectionist.

Cinemobile source the films and the licensing rights for screenings and can run a simultaneous screening for the residents inside in the nursing home who can’t access the cinema. It also has full wheelchair access and is fully airconditioned.

The idea then got a further boost when Cinemobile delivered a very successful intergenerational project in Co. Westmeath in 2015. For this project Cinemobile screened the documentary film Older Than Ireland to six different communities in the county, with local Transition Year students and members of local active retirement groups watching the documentary side by side

Noreen Collins, left, pictured at the Cinemobile.

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in our venue, parked on the school grounds. Older Than Ireland features over 30 people living in Ireland who are over 100 years old and so, indeed, are older than Ireland. In it they share their stories, their lives, loves and ups and downs over the years, as well as their secret tips for living to be over 100.

Feedback from young and old was tremendous, with people from elderly groups having a shared cinema experience alongside TY students that attended from their local school.

Noreen explains how the interaction worked: “The film’s director Alex Fegan attended each screening and hosted a fabulous discussion after the film, where the older people shared their responses to the film with the local students. The students in attendance loved the film too and seemed surprised to realise that older people too ‘in their day’ had a past life and they tended to look at them through fresh eyes after the event.”

Bringing the Cinemobile to a nursing home has the added potential for residents to invite their families along for the day and they too could accompany their loved one to the cinema – a real treat for all.

Screenings can also be run in conjunction with local national or secondary schools, sharing the cost in the community. It also has the added advantage of integrating the nursing home into their community and promoting the idea of young people visiting older people in a nursing home.

Noreen concludes: “We’re hoping that owners and managers of nursing homes throughout Ireland can see the value of hosting such an event in their town or village, and that they will demonstrate a way to reach out to other elements within their community to help make it happen.”

Cinemobile can be contacted by phone at 091 751629 or by email at manager@cinemobile.ie.