Debate contribution: Home Care Provision

Debate contribution by Mr Gareth Wilson on 12 May 2026.

MLA

Mr Gareth Wilson

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

12 May 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Home Care Provision

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5528735

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to support our party's amendment to the motion. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are staring down the barrel of a home care crisis. In fact, in the rural areas that I represent, that home care crisis is already starting to manifest itself. I have had many calls from, and conversations with, families who want their loved one home, but the necessary assistance is becoming so difficult to secure that their loved one is having to remain in hospital, with no clear timeline for their being discharged. Last week, media coverage revealed what many have long suspected, which is that cuts are being made to the frequency and duration of home care visits in rural areas. That is truly a worrying situation, and one that has far-reaching consequences. Domiciliary care workers are arguably one of the backbones of our health and social care system, yet they are repeatedly overworked and underpaid. The folly of the entire situation is that the end product of the cuts will be more pressure on our hospitals and emergency departments and more stress placed on our older people. That costs everyone and benefits no one. In my recent exchanges with the Health Minister, he referred to a situation last winter, in which 400 people were in A&Es awaiting admission to hospital. However, compounding the capacity situation, 500 people were awaiting discharge from hospital. They could not be discharged due to the very issues that we are debating today. In answer to a question from me in the Chamber, the Minister stated:

"If we can crack the issue with discharge, we will crack the issue of emergency department queues." — [Official Report (Hansard), 24 March 2026, p38, col 1].

I say to him: get cracking. The Health Minister made those comments some weeks ago. However, the situation is not improving. It is getting worse, with care providers stating recently that they can no longer service some rural areas with care packages. That is a serious problem that demands very serious engagement. The situation itself creates anxiety for vulnerable people, such as the elderly. The Commissioner for Older People, in a recent report entitled, 'Voices of Concern', stated so. The results of the commissioner's survey showed that deteriorating services for older people created a sense of anxiety. That is not helpful to our older population, who have worked hard all their lives and expect services to meet their needs. They want to feel cared for; they do not want to feel anxious. The Minister, in response to a recent question from me, admitted that delivering the real living wage for carers is essential. It is clear that addressing the rising costs of fuel for carers in our community and increasing care in the community, particularly in rural areas, are all solutions to the growing crisis. The Minister needs to act now. Failing to address the issue will lead to a financial and human cost. Morale among staff is arguably low. Now we are asking them to do the impossible. When a carer's time is cut short, it means rushed conversations and less time for important and caring interactions. It means less care delivered. If the crisis is not averted, carers will have less time to be present with those whom they care for. Behind every person who is cared for is someone who deserves to feel safe and valued, regardless of where they live in Northern Ireland. I will recap some Members' comments. Danny Donnelly pointed to the statistics in the domiciliary care system, the waits in A&E and the impact that they have on the healthcare system. Alan Chambers spoke of the importance of the role of home care staff and the lack of recognition of those staff. He said that, when home care issues arise, it creates pressures in our hospitals. Colin McGrath spoke of the worry that the issue creates for families and staff delivering a stretched service. He highlighted the voice of carers on time, pay and the pressured environment. Aoife Finnegan pointed to the fact that the Health Minister sits at the Executive table. She referred to the pressures in delivering domiciliary care in rural areas across Newry and Armagh. She referred to the dilemma of carers not making ends meet. Timothy Gaston spoke of the crisis in provision and referred to the situation in the Northern Trust. He spoke of the rural versus urban divide in service delivery. Minister Nesbitt said that he is wedded to improving the outlook for social care. He spoke of the issue of a multi-year Budget. The Minister said that more of the same will not deliver the change required. Our amendment strengthens the motion and reflects the unique challenges that are taking hold of our rural areas. I encourage all Members to back it.

811 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:37 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification