The HSE West is unable to provide any figures on how many applicants for Home Help Hours are refused annually, and that’s a ridiculous situation according to councillor Michael Kilcoyne.
In addition after a lengthy reply from HSE Management on how eligibility for Home Help Hours is determined, the Castlebar councillor says it appears that extensive information on the applicant is sought and recorded and then an algorithm is imposed on that data and a decision is arrived at.
In other words, it’s a computer that has the final say, he says.
Cllr Kilcoyne, a member of the HSE West Forum raised his questions on Home Help and who qualifies for the service at a recent HSE West Forum meeting.
In a written response to his question on how many requests for Home Help have been refused this year and last, the Chief Officer Community Healthcare West Breda Crehan Roche explained “the Home Support Dept does not collate data in relation to the number of applications refused”.
Cllr Kilcoyne says he is confounded by the response and sought additional information on how eligibility for Home Help is determined. He has now received the additional information but claims that it’s far from a satisfactory response.
Cllr Kilcoyne has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley…
