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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Nursing Homes' Regulations.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

453 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health whether private nursing homes for the age must be registered with the health boards; whether certain standards must be maintained by nursing homes; and whether arrangements are in place to monitor the operation of nursing homes.

The Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, 1964 obliges any person who proposes to establish a nursing home to notify in writing, at least one month before the date on which it is to commence operation, the health board in whose functional area the home is situated of the name and address of the home and the name of the person in charge of the home.

The standards which must be maintained in nursing homes are specified in the "Homes for Incapacitated Persons Regulations, 1985". These Regulations set out the standards of accommodation and care which must be complied with by all private nursing homes. As required by article 8 of these 1985 Regulations, health boards must inspect nursing homes in their functional areas at least once every six months to ensure that standards in homes are met.

The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which will be implemented this year, provides for the registration of private and voluntary nursing homes by health boards every three years. New standards of accommodation and care in nursing homes will be set out in Regulations under this Act. Nursing homes will have to meet these standards if they are to be registered by a health board. Health boards will continue to inspect nursing homes every six months to ensure that standards are being met.

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