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Outrage as HSE plans to axe patient scheme

Thursday, 08 May 2008

PATIENTS availing of a very successful home help service on the Northside say they are shocked and angry at plans to have it scrapped.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that it is to alter the Hospital in the Home scheme, which has allowed vulnerable patients at Beaumont Hospital receive vital medical care at home.
Patients on the scheme have said this would be a disaster, as it was proving extremely successful at freeing up beds at the hospital and minimising their risk of infection by being treated in their own homes.
The Hospital in the Home scheme allows trained nurses to visit patients’ homes on a daily basis to administer medication and monitor their health.
Aidan O’Toole, from Ardbeg, Artane, told Northside People the scheme had helped him to make an excellent recovery from surgery to remove a tumour.
Mr O’Toole (39) said he had to spend three weeks at Beaumont Hospital in January to receive his treatment.

“However, just before the three weeks were up, the doctors realised I had a clot in my leg which was starting to make its way up to my heart,” Mr O’Toole stated.
“Because of this, they had to put me on de-clotting medication and I was told that I would have to spend another three weeks in the hospital.
“But thankfully I was able to take up the Hospital in the Home scheme and I was back at home with my family within a day which greatly helped my recovery.”
The father-of-two said the bed that he freed up at Beaumont was then available to help other patients.
“It was great that as a result of being able to go home, a bed that was much in demand at the hospital became free for those three weeks,” he added.
“It would be terrible if this scheme is stopped as it’s clear that it is helping a lot of people.”
Another patient, Matthew Riley, told Northside People that the scheme has helped him and his family dramatically, as he receives treatment for acute bronchiolitis.
“My condition meant that since 2005 I had to stay in Beaumont Hospital for two weeks at a time every three weeks to be put on a drip six times a day,” Mr Riley explained.
“On many occasions I would have to spend the first three days in a chair at the hospital because of the lack of beds and trolleys.
“But since last June, when I joined up to the Hospital in the Home scheme, I have been able to get my drips at home, and this has made a massive difference to our family life.”
Mr Riley said the scheme has given him the opportunity to look after his four-year-old son at home, while his wife is at work.
“But if I have to start going back into Beaumont Hospital every three weeks, our son will have to go back into a crèche full-time and my wife will have to take time off work,” he added.
“This will put us at a major disadvantage.”
Carol Hollingsworth, clinical nurse manager for Beaumont’s Hospital in the Home scheme, said she couldn’t believe the HSE was considering removing the service.
“One of the big pluses of this service is that it actually works,” Ms Hollingsworth told Northside People.
“This news feels as if a mat has been pulled from under our feet, both for the patients and for the highly skilled nurses who are running the scheme.”
Ms Hollingsworth estimated that the scheme has managed to free up to 900 days of beds at Beaumont Hospital in the last year.
“That alone is good enough reason to keep it going,” she argued.
Dublin North Central TD Richard Bruton (FG) has condemned what he described as an incomprehensible decision by the HSE.
“The Hospital in the Home scheme has proven its value by lowering risks of MRSA infection and avoiding queues for patients,” Deputy Bruton said.
“Removing it makes no sense and is targeting some of our most vulnerable patients.
“The cut will inevitably result in vulnerable people being herded into hospital A&E departments and queuing for hours.”
A spokesman for the HSE told Northside People that it would still retain some aspects of the service.
“Following an evaluation under an independent chairperson, the recommendation is to retain the Hospital in the Home concept but to mainstream the service into our own community services,” the spokesman stated.
“Care will continue to be provided appropriately, whether in hospital or in the community.
“The intention is to repatriate the service to become part of our post acute care and community services as recommended by the evaluation group.”

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