I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together.
Under the Health Act, 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, in the Health Information and Quality Authority for registration and inspection of categories of designated centres, including nursing homes for older people. The Chief Inspector is independent in the exercise of his statutory function. It is a matter for the Chief Inspector to decide whether facilities, irrespective of whether the service is public, private or voluntary, meet the definition of a designated centre and are therefore subject to this regulatory regime.
The definition of a "designated centre" is contained in Section 2 of the Health Act, 2007. That definition does not include, inter alia, "that part of an institution in which the majority of persons being cared for and maintained are being treated for acute illness or provided with palliative care." I have been advised by HIQA that the Chief Inspector of the Social Services has determined that neither Ballina District Hospital nor Swinford District Hospital is regarded as a designated centre, on the basis that the majority of patients in both are on an acute care pathway.
