SINN Féin Senator Paul Gavan has called for a public enquiry into nursing home care in the wake of Covid-19. Speaking under Order of Business in the Seanad he also called for a debate on the private for profit nursing home model that has developed over time.
Senator Gavan said:
“Nursing homes in this state are overwhelmingly private with very limited public beds space. There are 557 nursing homes in the state, of which 443 (77%) are private, with private nursing homes accounting for 79% of registered beds
“This model has developed over time without any discussion as to how it works for residents and families.
Senator Gavan stated:
“We are all aware of the real concerns about nursing homes over recent weeks. There have been serious allegations of neglect and abuse, and, of course, the horrendous death toll in nursing homes. I refer to the exposé on ‘RTÉ Investigates’.
“There needs to be an investigation into these issues. It is urgent that we do so, and I believe it needs to be a public investigation. And we must question the prevailing for profit model that is used.
“Over the last 30 years, we have moved from 80% public-sector control of elder care to 80% private-sector control. That did not happen by accident. There has been a rapid privatisation of the sector and yet I do not remember it being a cause for debate or discussion across politics.
“I know from my experience as a trade union official that the private-sector for-profit model is based on minimum rates of pay and extremely poor conditions at work. This results in a significant turnover of staff which in turn relates to a lessening in quality of care for our elders and loved ones.
“The reality is that the private nursing home sector at the moment consistently refuses to engage with trade unions. That is why one will never see a trade unionist talking about what is happening in terms of the pandemic, one only sees the nursing home managers. That is a fundamental flaw in a poorly structured sector.
“Public debate needs to happen to discuss nursing home care in this State and the private for profit model that we have now.”
