Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
1330. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce legislation to implement best practice nursing home universal design that is dementia-friendly and suitable for family connection and quality of life during pandemics (details supplied). [42467/21]
View answerIt is important to note that nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 as amended require that the provider shall:
- in so far as is reasonably practical, arrange to meet the needs of each resident when these have been appropriately assessed in accordance with Regulation 5.
- provide appropriate medical and health care, including a high standard of evidence- based nursing care in accordance with professional guidelines.
- make arrangements for each resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents.
- ensure that the premises of a designated centre are appropriate to the number and needs of the residents of that centre and in accordance with the statement of purpose prepared under Regulation 3.
Public health guidance has been developed in order to assist and support providers in respect of visiting long-term residential care facilities. The latest guidance which came into effect on 19 July will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges. I would also like to advise the Deputy that over the Winter 2020 period, and over Christmas 2020, the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme was expanded on a once-off basis to allow a claim of up to €2,500 per eligible nursing home. This enabled these homes to create additional safe visiting spaces and enhance current visiting spaces.
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. Many of the short- and medium-term recommendations have already been implemented.
Work to progress the recommendations of the Nursing Home 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.
Scoping work is ongoing, via a multi-stakeholder process, to consider policy development for design of long-term residential care centres for older people, in line with the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel report. HIQA regulates the minimum standards for physical infrastructure, and a wider review of the regulatory framework is planned. It will be important to consider all possible policy tools in this area, including design guidance, and the particular needs associated with different medical conditions. I have also met with Minister Burke in the Department of Housing, and with the HSE, to discuss these issues, and this engagement is ongoing. Prominent amongst the issues discussed was the HSE’s role as a prescribed body for planning applications for nursing homes, which is to be examined to ensure that any future new developments align with broader reforms in older persons care services, in addition to demographic needs.
