Home care industry wants workforce review to meet HSE’s ambitious growth plans

Home and Community Care Ireland says structural problems with way home care is organised don’t take account of various skillsets needed

Musgrave highlighted how through the HSE tender process, home care pay was calculated on the basis of hours, not the skill set the carer has

A workforce review of the home care industry is needed to ensure the HSE’s ambitious growth plans can be achieved, according to the chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI).

Joseph Musgrave told the Business Post that the HSE’s plans to expand home care hours by 25 per cent in 2021 were progressing steadily, but that a wider review of the workforce would be needed if the additional hours were to be sustained.