IMO seeks ‘pressing discussions’ on nursing properties

The IMO welcomes recommendations in the expert panel's report on Covid-19 and nursing homes

Dr. Denis McCauley

The Irish Medical Organization (IMO) has welcomed the panel's publication on Covid-19 and Nursing Homes and is looking for urgent discussions with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.

Thanking the panel of experts for the opportunity to share the views of the medical profession, the IMO said their position had long been the need for a new framework for medical care for patients in nursing homes and support for the elderly in the community.

Dr. Denis McCauleyThe IMO GP Committee Chairman said, "We applaud the panel's recognition of the critical need to recruit more general practitioners, address long-standing capacity issues, and empower GPs to work more effectively in the community and in nursing homes."

General practitioners, along with their public health, geriatric and nursing home workers, have provided exceptional service to vulnerable patients despite the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis.

However, the GP chief added that the system of medical care for nursing home patients was inadequate prior to Covid-19 and was made all the more difficult by the effects of the pandemic.

Commenting on the results of the expert report, Dr. McCauley: "These recommendations are a step in the right direction that the government urgently needs to recognize and address, and the IMO is seeking urgent discussions with the Department of Health and the HSE to further develop a framework for medical services for patients in the public and private nursing homes.

“Too often we've seen reports like this gathering dust, and that can't happen now. We need strong and determined action to address this legacy. "

He said the report also supports recommendations from the Scally and Crowe Horwath reports that include granting advisory status to public health professionals. “We are facing a public health emergency so we need to properly resource the sector. It is unacceptable that we cannot appoint public health advisors at a time when the country is dependent on their expertise, ”added Dr. McCauley added. • •

lloyd.mudiwa@imt.ie