During the Covid-19 pandemic, one-fifth of small nursing homes in Ireland closed, leading to multinational companies dominating the private home sector. Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) showed that almost 700 beds were closed in public long-term residential care homes during this period. Large nursing home operators now provide the majority of residential care, with 74% of all beds in private homes. The report also highlighted the disparities in funding between public and private care homes, and the reliance on state aid to sustain the sector during the pandemic. The CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland emphasized the need for policies that prioritize residents’ health and social care needs within a more integrated care environment.
Source link
One-in-five small nursing homes closed during pandemic
