Madam, - With reference to the recent highlighting of charges for nursing care in public, private and voluntary nursing homes I would like to make the following comments:
1. The old stigma of the "workhouse" is still very much in the memory of older people in Ireland. By contributing to their nursing care and maintenance in public, private or voluntary nursing homes they feel that they have choices and autonomy over their lives.
2. We must remember that unfortunately our older citizens are no longer safe or free from anxiety in their own homes for various well-documented reasons. They are very happy to be in a secure environment, cared for by people who become part of their extended family, and of paramount importance to them is that their dignity is maintained.
3. Certainly there was an error made by successive governments in the interpretation of the legislation and dissemination of funding for public beds in public, private and voluntary sector nursing homes.
4. Older people and their families are well aware of the foregoing, but they are also mindful of the hardship which will be inflicted upon the health service in this country, not to mention the enrichment of the already well-heeled legal profession, if they insist upon litigation for reimbursement. Furthermore, they feel that they certainly have got good value for their money.
In a remarkable and unprecedented effort to show leadership that is sadly lacking in our Government Departments, older people and their families have told me that they do not want to be reimbursed for reasons stated above and furthermore, they are insisting on returning the €2,000 ex-gratia payment to the Department of Health. I sincerely feel they are an inspiration to the country at large for their unselfish gesture and should be held up as an example to the "take, take" mentality which has sadly taken root in Irish society. - Yours, etc.,
MARY McCORMACK, Fingal House Nursing Home, Seatown West, Swords, Co Dublin.