An association representing social workers is calling for Health Service Executive social workers to be part of Covid-19 response teams deployed to overwhelmed nursing homes, in order to assist communications with families.
The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) said this is essential because families of some residents have experienced communication breakdown with nursing homes as their loved ones died during the pandemic.
IASW s Sinead McGarry said working as part of the outbreak team, social workers would act as crisis support and communication liaisons for families and nursing home residents. HSE social workers could be facilitated through temporary deployment that public nursing homes did this successfully during the pandemic s first and thirds waves, she added.
Extra funds for safe visiting spaces in nursing homes
Updated / Friday, 11 Dec 2020
20:06
Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent
Funding to enhance and create additional safe visiting spaces in nursing homes has been announced by the Department of Health.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Older People Mary Butler say the funds will help facilitate visiting over the winter period and Christmas.
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) has been expanded on a once-off basis to allow a claim of up to €2,500 per eligible nursing home.
The fund will enable providers to create additional safe visiting spaces and enhance current visiting spaces.