Staffing remains a significant challenge for private and voluntary nursing homes
Staffing remains a significant challenge facing private and voluntary nursing homes across Ireland, according to a BDO/NHI report.
The report highlights mounting recruitment pressures, particularly around the hiring of non-EEA healthcare workers.
Respondents pointed to the 50/50 non-EEA staffing rule as a particular barrier to recruitment, limiting access to international workers at a time when domestic shortages are acute.
This comes as operators are increasing the number of care hours being delivered to each resident by virtue of the heightened complexity of care needs, with approximately 60% of residents categorised as either High or Maximum dependency.
Other key findings in the report include:
84% of residents are now funded under the Fair Deal scheme, up nearly 15 percentage points from the 2023/24 survey.
A €665 weekly gap remains between public and private Fair Deal rates, with private homes receiving an average of €1,250 versus €1,915 in the public system.
56% of residents require high or maximum dependency care, reflecting ongoing complexity in clinical needs.
Average care hours per resident per day have increased to 3.85, up from 3.74 in the previous report.
Staff costs now account for 61.1% of total revenue, reflecting the dual pressures of increased care hours and rising wages.
Average occupancy nationally over the last six months was 93.6%, up 1.3 percentage points from the 2023/24 survey and reflecting continued strong demand.
Commenting on the findings, Brian McEnery, Managing Partner at BDO Ireland, said: “Demand for residential care services will continue to grow in the years ahead.
“However, meeting that demand is increasingly contingent on the sector’s ability to recruit and retain qualified staff.
“Workforce constraints have become the defining pressure point for operators, who are being asked to deliver more complex care in a challenging funding environment.
“At the same time, occupancy levels continue to rise, underscoring the urgency of building a sustainable staffing model.
“Without targeted reform, the long-term sustainability of this essential service is at risk.”
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, stated “We must celebrate our ageing population with an ambitious plan across the continuum of care and support.
“Nursing home care is a critical part of the healthcare continuum, and of how we support people to age with dignity and compassion.
CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland Tadhg Daly. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie
“This pulse report once again confirms that while the sector is resilient, the challenges in funding and the workforce remain.
“The trends it reveals - particularly in care complexity, workforce strain, and financial pressures - underscore the urgency for policy reform and sustainable investment.”
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