Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1851. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if long-term residential care facility visitation guidance has been placed on a statutory footing; the enforcement measures that are in place on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2114/22]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) provides a suite of public health guidance including in relation to visiting to long-term residential care facilities, which is reviewed and updated regularly. The HPSC has published updated guidance on visiting in long-term residential care: COVID-19: Normalising Visiting in Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs). The most recent version came into effect on 10 January 2022.
The guidance emphasises the need to ensure visiting policy is based on risk assessment, which should take into account, among other things, the overall care needs, rights and wishes of residents, the level of vaccination of residents in the nursing home, the current incidence of COVID-19 in the surrounding community and the capacity of the nursing home to manage risks associated with visiting.
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. In a broad sense, visits to nursing homes are governed by legislation under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013; regulation 11 provides that the nursing home should facilitate visiting and not restrict visiting except in circumstances such as the resident requesting same, or potential risk posed from visiting – this aligns with the risk assessments referred to in the visiting guidance. The regulations also require that the nursing home has suitable facilities in place and available for residents to receive visits. It is the legal responsibility of each provider to assess the risks and mitigation measures associated with their service and how best to manage visits having regards to the specific circumstances that arise in relation to their service. The HPSC has developed public health guidance, mentioned above, to assist and support providers in this regard. The independent regulator, the Chief Inspector, HIQA, monitors compliance with the legal framework in the context of her ongoing regulatory role.
Risks continue to remain and emergent risks such as variants of concern present ongoing challenges and the need for vigilance. Visiting arrangements should continue to take account of general public health advice and the necessary infection prevention and control measures, to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities. This is particularly important in the context of the prevalence of the more transmissible Omicron variant.
Visitors are reminded of their responsibilities with regard to self-checks for COVID-19 in advance of visits, infection and prevention control and social interaction with all individuals, while in the nursing home.
