Written Answers Nos. 2248-2266
2248. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the guidance on ventilation provided to the hospitality industry in respect of mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in their premises, when this was last updated; the basis of this guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/21]
View answerIt is the responsibility of individual Government Departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation as per their respective remits. In this instance the provision of guidance for the hospitality sector is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and I suggest that the Deputy direct questions accordingly.
While it remains the responsibility of individual Government Departments to provide sector-specific COVID-19 advice on ventilation, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published Guidance on Non-Healthcare Building Ventilation during COVID-19, that may be of interest to the Deputy more generally. The Guidance provides broad recommendations and information, based on the literature, for commercial and public buildings that may be used in the development of sector specific guidance: hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/buildingsandfacilitiesguidance/#d.en.20148
The reports of the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation are also available to support the development of sector specific guidance by other Government departments:
gov.ie/en/publication/aa43c-expert-group-on-the-role-of-ventilation-in-reducing-transmission-of-covid-19/
For convenience I have also provided details of guidance published by other Departments and their agencies, questions related to any of the published guidance below should be directed to the appropriate Government Department:
- Education sector:
- hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/Guidance%20on%20non%20HCbuilding%20ventilation%20during%20COVID-19.pdf
- gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/
- Workplaces, Businesses (including hospitality), Retails Settings, and Shopping Centres:
- A revised Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) was published on 14th May 2021 as a collaborative effort between employers and employees, which was led by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health, with the support of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The revised Protocol incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces including enhanced detail on ventilation: gov.ie/en/publication/bb7fd-work-safely-protocol/
- nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Retail-Guidelines-13012021.pdf
- nsai.ie/images/uploads/general/NSAI-COVID19-Shopping-Centre-Guidelines-13012021.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Overview Guidelines to Reopening - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Overview-Guidelines-to-Re-opening.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Restaurants and Cafes failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Restaurants-and-Cafes.pdf
- Fáilte Ireland: Guidelines for Reopening Hotels and Guesthouses - failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf
- There is also additional guidance on Gov.ie and on the HSE website which outlines the importance of ventilation in households, this can be found here:
- gov.ie/en/publication/472f64-covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice/
- www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/how-coronavirus-is-spread.html
2249. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the serious issues raised in a programme (details supplied) in relation to standards in certain nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing homes. The pandemic has been a hugely difficult time for all residents, relatives, and staff of nursing homes.
The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Authority, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards.
HIQA, in discharging its duties determines, through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing homes meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. Should a nursing home be deemed to be non-compliant with the Regulations and the National Quality Standards, it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. In addition, the Chief Inspector has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of Registration on nursing homes.
I have been informed by the Chief Inspector that the regulatory process and, where necessary, follow up is ongoing in relation to the relevant issues raised, and in some instances there is active regulatory engagement taking place in line with the Chief Inspector’s regulatory function.
It is also important to recognise that learning from the early stages of the pandemic has been integral to the Government’s responses as the pandemic has progressed. The COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel considered lessons learned from the initial wave of the pandemic in developing recommendations that focus on immediate, short-term actions required for the response to COVID-19 as well as on long-term actions required to effect the strategic reform of nursing home systems, operation, policy, and legislation.
In addition, having regard to the NHEP recommendations, learning from the pandemic and HIQA's suggested regulatory enhancements, the Minister for Health and I approved a two-phased approach to examining the legislation with a view to proposing enhancements to the primary and secondary legislation governing nursing homes, with a primary focus on enforcement, governance, oversight and certain regulatory areas including infection prevention and control. It is expected that, subject to Government approval draft Heads of Bill will be published by the end of the year.
The ongoing learning from the pandemic, including consideration of new evidence and information that emerges nationally and internationally, is critical to the Government’s continued response to the pandemic as it evolves.
Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse, harm and neglect by others in the context of their interactions with the health sector is a key objective of the Department of Health, every statutory body under its aegis, and every health and social care service that interacts with such adults. In the health sector, a framework of standards, policies and procedures for safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm, neglect, and exploitation within the sector is in place. To strengthen this framework, the Department is currently developing a national sectoral policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. The Department is also preparing for a public consultation exercise and costing study with a view to submitting a costed draft policy to Government for approval during 2021 and, will thereafter, prepare any legislation required to underpin the approved policy.
2250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the meeting held with an organisation (details supplied); his response to the meeting; the steps he is taking to address the concerns of the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36675/21]
View answerI met with members of the Justice for Polio Survivors campaign on 16 February 2021 where I listened to the concerns and issues that the group raised with regard to their perceived grievances with RehabCare.
I also wrote to the Group suggesting they address their concerns to the Office of the Charities Regulator who can independently assess whether or not there are grounds for investigation.
2251. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be recognised by Ireland as an eligible vaccine in order to allow Irish citizens travelling from the UAE to avoid having to undertake mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/21]
View answerIreland procures COVID-19 vaccines through its participation in an EU procurement process and their approval is by the Commission following recommendation by the EMA.
At present, the Sinopharm vaccine has not received EMA approval.
COVID-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. No vaccine will be used until Market authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is obtained and any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Passengers who are fully vaccinated in accordance with the table below and have the documents to confirm this are not required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine.
What 'fully vaccinated' means:
|
A full course of any one of the following vaccines |
Regarded as fully vaccinated after: |
|
2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®) |
7 days |
|
2 doses of Moderna Vaccine: CX-024414 (Moderna®) |
14 days |
|
2 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine: ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (Vaxzevria® or Covishield) |
15 days |
|
1 dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine: Ad26.COV2-S [recombinant] (Janssen®) |
14 days |
2252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons that have contacted Jigsaw Dublin South West for help; the number that received 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 sessions, respectively; the number that dropped out or that stopped attending; and the reason for not attending in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37174/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2253. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals to Jigsaw Dublin South West that were considered too complex for Jigsaw; and the onward referral routes for these young persons in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [37175/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2254. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons that contacted Jigsaw Dublin South West for help by geographic breakdown in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [37176/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2255. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason Jigsaw Dublin South West has stopped taking new referrals; and the supports the wider community can avail of in the interim and long term. [37177/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2256. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children that were seen under the new standard operating procedures for disability; the number that received a diagnosis per CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37178/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2257. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if a transfer of HSE disability services funding will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of the long delay since initial request. [37179/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2258. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is a public inquiry into Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes and into the treatment of residents in particular in nursing homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37180/21]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Authority, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards.
HIQA, in discharging its duties, determines through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing home meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. Should a nursing home be deemed to be non-compliant with the Regulations and the National Quality Standards, it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. In addition, the Chief Inspector has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of Registration on nursing homes.
The Deputy will be aware that the Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort. This Expert Panel report has added further to our knowledge and learning. This report clearly outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes. These actions are based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19 to date. The report also recommends additional analysis and examination of the relevant public health and other data sets in order that further causal and protective factors for COVID-19 clusters are identified. HIQA and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) recently jointly published an “Analysis of factors associated with outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes in Ireland”, delivering on recommendation 6.7 of the Expert Panel report, to further the learning from the pandemic. Further data analysis work and learning will also continue, in line with other recommendations of the Expert Panel, although these have been affected by the recent cyberattack on the health system.
Work to progress the recommendations of the Expert Panel report, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders. Continued learning and understanding of progression of the disease in Ireland is an integral part of those recommendations.
At a broader level, there has been significant and ongoing consideration of this impact since the start of the pandemic, with various examinations and development of reports with a focus on COVID-19, its impact on nursing homes and the pandemic learnings that can inform future policy, regulation and the model of care for older persons. There has been a very clear national commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic as the national and international understanding of the virus evolves, and where necessary to ensure that the public health-led approach evolves, as evidence and learning materialises. Findings of these reports confirm that the very infectious nature of COVID-19 makes it difficult to prevent and control in residential care settings. The reports produced nationally identify findings consistent with international evidence, which have highlighted that the probability of COVID-19 introduction into nursing home depends on the levels of the disease circulating in the community, with a higher risk associated with higher incidence rates in the community.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of the vaccination programme, and the current situation in nursing homes is broadly stable, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully protected though vaccination. It must be recognised that the pandemic has not concluded and at this time a priority focus of Government remains on the ongoing management of the COVID-19 response, to ensure that the positive gains now been experienced are preserved, and that those most vulnerable to the virus continue to be safeguarded, having regard to the residual risk.
While we are still dealing with a degree of risk in nursing homes due to COVID-19, we are continuing to look at options which may be available to the State in relation to listening to the voices of those who have lost a loved one.
2259. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37184/21]
View answer2260. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37185/21]
View answer2261. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37186/21]
View answer2262. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37187/21]
View answer2263. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37188/21]
View answer2264. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37189/21]
View answer2362. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy, number of male and female surgical sterilisation procedures, respectively and number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020, inclusive. [37503/21]
View answer3192. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy, elective sterilisation procedures and gender affirming procedures carried out in healthcare facilities owned by a group (details supplied) in 2019 and 2020 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40673/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2259 to 2264, inclusive, 2362 and 3192 together.
My Department does not routinely collect or hold the information being requested in this Parliamentary Question. The query relates to health services, which is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2265. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the way in which Irish citizens who have been vaccinated in other jurisdictions will be able to register for the EU digital Covid certificate in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37191/21]
View answer2342. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the way the digital Covid certificate will work for persons who were vaccinated in another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/21]
View answer2533. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if citizens who have been fully vaccinated with one of the approved vaccines in a jurisdiction outside of the EU, for example, in the United States of America will be eligible to apply for the EU digital Covid Certificate upon return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38003/21]
View answer2708. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Irish citizens who received the required dosage of EMA approved vaccines in other jurisdictions; and if they will be registered on the HSE system and by extension be eligible for the EU digital Covid certificate for travel if they can prove their vaccine status. [38825/21]
View answer2795. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the provision that has been made for EU Digital COVID Certificates for Irish citizens who have been vaccinated in Canada and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39208/21]
View answer2884. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to issue the digital Covid Certificate, SI 318 of 2021, based on a vaccination elsewhere in line with EU regulation 2021/953, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39477/21]
View answer2893. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the way in which an Irish citizen vaccinated outside the EU by their employer goes about getting an EU digital Covid certificate given they were not vaccinated here in Ireland. [39515/21]
View answer2894. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the way in which an Irish citizen vaccinated in the UK by their employer goes about getting an EU digital Covid certificate given they were not vaccinated here in Ireland. [39516/21]
View answer3093. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if those who have been partially vaccinated in the State but have received either a first or second dose of an EMA registered vaccine in another jurisdiction will be considered fully vaccinated by the HSE; if such cases will have their vaccination details updated to avoid being offered an unnecessary vaccination appointment; if persons in such circumstances will be eligible for an EU digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40247/21]
View answer3174. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the process for a person that has been vaccinated in the USA to obtain the EU digital Covid certificate. [40578/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2265, 2342, 2533, 2708, 2795, 2884, 2893, 2894, 3093 and 3174 together.
The Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU.
As the Minister for Health, I am supporting the work of my Department in collaborating with relevant Departments under the leadership of the Department of Taoiseach to assist in the on-going implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificates.
Arrangements for provision of vaccination certificates to Irish citizens not vaccinated in Ireland will be considered once the initial roll-out is in place.
2266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent programme (details supplied) which exposed the appalling treatment of residents in some nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37196/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing homes. The pandemic has been a hugely difficult time for all residents, relatives, and staff of nursing homes.
The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector, whether a HSE managed or a private nursing home. The Authority, established under the Health Act 2007, has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and National Quality Standards.
HIQA, in discharging its duties determines, through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing homes meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. Should a nursing home be deemed to be non-compliant with the Regulations and the National Quality Standards, it may either fail to achieve or lose its registration status. In addition, the Chief Inspector has wide discretion in deciding whether to impose conditions of Registration on nursing homes.
I have been informed by the Chief Inspector that the regulatory process and, where necessary, follow up is ongoing in relation to the relevant issues raised, and in some instances there is active regulatory engagement taking place in line with the Chief Inspector’s regulatory function.
It is also important to recognise that learning from the early stages of the pandemic has been integral to the Government’s responses as the pandemic has progressed. The COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel considered lessons learned from the initial wave of the pandemic in developing recommendations that focus on immediate, short-term actions required for the response to COVID-19 as well as on long-term actions required to effect the strategic reform of nursing home systems, operation, policy, and legislation.
In addition, having regard to the NHEP recommendations, learning from the pandemic and HIQA's suggested regulatory enhancements, the Minister for Health and I approved a two-phased approach to examining the legislation with a view to proposing enhancements to the primary and secondary legislation governing nursing homes, with a primary focus on enforcement, governance, oversight and certain regulatory areas including infection prevention and control. It is expected that, subject to Government approval draft Heads of Bill will be published by the end of the year.
The ongoing learning from the pandemic, including consideration of new evidence and information that emerges nationally and internationally, is critical to the Government’s continued response to the pandemic as it evolves.
Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse, harm and neglect by others in the context of their interactions with the health sector is a key objective of the Department of Health, every statutory body under its aegis, and every health and social care service that interacts with such adults. In the health sector, a framework of standards, policies and procedures for safeguarding adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm, neglect, and exploitation within the sector is in place. To strengthen this framework, the Department is currently developing a national sectoral policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. The Department is also preparing for a public consultation exercise and costing study with a view to submitting a costed draft policy to Government for approval during 2021 and, will thereafter, prepare any legislation required to underpin the approved policy.
