Brady slams HSE delays in approval for installation of safety measures for mobility impaired individuals in Wicklow
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has slammed the amount of time that it is taking the HSE to grant approval for the installation of safety measures such as grab rails for individuals at risk from falls due to mobility issues arising from hip replacements or other orthopaedic ailments, and people recovering from accidents and injuries. It generally could take up to eight months for the installation of the safety equipment to be approved following a site visit from an occupational therapist. Which is creating unnecessary and unacceptable risk levels for vulnerable individuals who are at risk from falls.
Brady said:
“I have been contacted by many, many people from across the county of Wicklow, some recovering from hip operations, or other orthopaedic procedures, many more suffering as a result of accidents, and all deeply concerned around their personal situations as they wait for the HSE to approve the installation of safety measures in their homes.
One man who we have been in regular contact recounted his own personal difficulties, the falls that he has endured, and how that has made him fearful of living on his own, but having no option but doing the best he could until the HSE eventually gave approval for contractors to install safety measures in his home.
I have been in contact with the HSE about this issue, urging for an improvement on the turnaround times, and they have confirmed that it can take up to eight months before a patient receives a visit from an occupational therapist, who has to give approval for the installation of safety measures, following which the work is then carried out by a contractor.
I don’t know why it takes this long. But I do know that it needs to improve.
Seven or eight months is far too long for patients in need to have to wait for the HSE to approve the installation of safety measures such as grab rails and other measures to safety proof their homes against falls.
We are talking about vulnerable individuals who need to have these measures installed to help them stay safe from falls.
The HSE is operating under capacity constraints as a result of government underfunding. In their response to my questioning, the HSE stated that their response times are based on the current level of referrals and their resources available to them to respond across the wider Wicklow area.
It is the responsibility of Minister Stephen Donnelly to ensure that there are sufficient resources available. This is a further indictment of his and his government colleague’s decision to suspend recruitment last year.” ENDs