SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said that fair pay for staff is needed to tackle the domiciliary care package shortage in the Northern Trust area.
He was speaking during an adjournment debate on the issue at Stormont on Tuesday.
Mr McGlone has long highlighted issues around the shortage of care packages in the area.
Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said, “All too often I have distressed families contacting my constituency office at the end of their tether over their failure to obtain a domiciliary care package. This often results in patients being stuck in hospital or other care facilities and being unable to return home to their own surroundings without a package. This also creates additional pressure on our health service which we all know is in a desperate state.
“This is a particular problem in rural areas, where many people struggle to access the healthcare and support they need. For many care workers it simply isn’t sustainable to travel long distances given the high price of fuel and other associated costs. Far too often there are simply not enough care workers to meet the demand and people can face a lengthy wait to get a package, if they get one at all. We are also seeing people impacted by the lack of occupational therapists and delays in installing home support aids.
“I have raised these issues repeatedly with the Northern Trust, but the reality is that we need a long-term strategy to invest in staff recruitment and community care. If we want people to consider a career in caring then we need to acknowledge the fantastic work they do and pay them accordingly, under the current system caring is treated as more of a vocation and there’s only so much good will available, particularly at a time when more and more families are under pressure financially.”
ENDS
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