Care of elderly patients ‘must be reassessed’

The Third Age Observatory said on Wednesday that they are “very disappointed” the first solely geriatric clinic in Cyprus is being forced to close its doors.

According to a statement from the observatory, the reason the clinic is closing its doors is due to the decreased compensation from the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO), especially when it has to do with treatment of the elderly.

“The way in which the care of elderly patients is assessed and reimbursed must be immediately redesigned, especially in cases where there is a specialisation,” the organisation which represents the elderly said.

“Everyone recognises that the cost of caring for older patients is far higher than for younger patients and despite all the discussions, both in and out of parliament, the required progress has not been made.”

On Tuesday, the management of the Athena Clinic based in Larnaca, the geriatric clinic in question, had already written to parliament warning it would have to close down completely over financial wrangling with the HIO. It argues the HIO is not giving it enough funding to maintain its operations.

The wrangling has been ongoing since June. Though it has the capacity for 10 patients, it has only allowed for five patients due to financial reasons, the clinic’s director explained.

“All other clinics and hospitals in the country are financially viable – this is the only that isn’t. There’s only so much we can do,” HIO director Andreas Papaconstantinou told the Cyprus Mail.

He explained that based on the old system of financial criteria, the Athena clinic was eligible for funding based on 60 points, corresponding to around €120,000.