An elderly woman with dementia has been medically fit for discharge from a busy hospital since April but remains there because her family have failed to pursue nursing home care under the Fair Deal scheme, the HSE has told the High Court. The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, ordered the woman’s transfer to a nursing home pending an application to have her made a ward of court, which would facilitate a Fair Deal arrangement. A childless widow aged in her eighties and with an extended family, the woman is believed to have substantial assets, the court heard. The substantial assets of the woman and her late husband could be accessed to fund nursing home care, Ms Kelleher said. A fair deal assessment had also been organised by the HSE and an appropriate nursing home had been found.

Source: Irish Examiner December 10, 2019 16:30 UTC