Donal Carey
Question:86 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines for restraints in nursing homes; and the plans, if any, he has to update these guidelines. [7212/00]
Written Answers. - Nursing Homes.
In July 1995, my Department published a code of practice for nursing homes which was drafted by a group of experts with first-hand experience of the care of dependant older people. Section 12.2 of the code sets out the guidelines for use of restraint, as follows:
Every home should have a policy on the use of restraint, based on the guidelines of this Code of Practice. The use of restraint on an on-going basis should never be the decision of one person. The use of physical or chemical restraint should be kept to a minimum. Where the nurse in charge of a home considers that a person may need to be restrained, he or she should first consult the resident's general practitioner. The person responsible for the resident as well as the registered proprietor should also be informed. A record of all occasions on which physical or chemical restraint is used should be kept, detailing the nature of the restraint and duration. The use of restraint should also be noted in the resident's nursing notes. There should be a regular review of policy on restraint in the home.
I have no plans to amend these guidelines.
Jack Wall
Question:87 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate the application for nursing home subvention for a person (details supplied) in County Laois in view of the fact that her life earnings has been dramatically eroded due to her payments for nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7213/00]
As the Deputy may be aware, the payment of nursing home subvention in County Laois is a matter for the Midland Health Board. I have asked the chief executive officer of the Midland Health Board to investigate this matter as a matter of urgency and reply directly to the Deputy.