asked the Minister for Health the criteria used for registering private nursing home facilities; and if he considers that the present arrangements for registration and supervision of private nursing homes are adequate.
Written Answers. - Private Nursing Homes.
28.
The operation of private nursing homes is governed by the Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964. This Act does not provide for the registration of nursing homes but merely for the notification of the establishment of nursing homes to the relevant health authority.
I consider that there is a need for a registration system for hospitals, nursing homes and my Department are currently in the process of preparing legislation in this area.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have been concerned for some time about the supervision of private nursing homes. Pending the introduction of new legislation, I have recently introduced new regulations under the 1964 Act which contain much stricter standards for private nursing homes and provide for frequent monitoring of these homes by the health boards. These regulations provide for:
(i) the keeping of records in respect of patients, staff, fire precautions and equipment;
(ii) the care of the dying, the making of mortuary arrangments and notification of deaths;
(iii) the extent of care to be provided;
(iv) minimum standards of accommodation, facilities and safety requirements;
(v) minimum staffing levels;
(vi) the powers of a health board to inspect a home and its records and the frequency of inspections.