Health Committee chairperson and Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin
SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has called for urgent investment in caring for older people.
The chair of the Assembly’s health committee said: “I welcome the report from the Older People’s Commissioner but very concerned that the health service is failing to meet the needs of older people.
“How we care for older members of our community speaks volumes about us as a society.
“If we are serious about keeping older people out of hospital and in the community then it is not rocket science that we should invest in care packages and residential and supported living options.
“More than three years ago we are told that the Transforming Your Care strategy would see the shift of £83million from hospitals to communities but to date only £44million has been moved. That needs to increase.
“If we are to improve how we care for older people and our ageing population then we need to increase investment and see proper planning for the future.”
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