Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1213. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns that were raised about care facility (details supplied) in Limerick, to HIQA and to his Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and the categories they fall into. [12521/23]
View answer1218. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns that were received by his Department and HIQA regarding a nursing home (details supplied) in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will provide a breakdown of those complaints. [12526/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1213 and 1218 together.
The Health Act 2007, as amended, provides the overarching regulatory framework for the nursing home sector with further detailed requirements set out in Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. Under the Health Act 2007, as amended, and related Regulations, the registered provider is responsible and accountable for the quality of care and safety of residents in nursing homes (designated centres) and all nursing homes are required to have a clear complaints procedure in place, Part 10 of the Care and Welfare Regulations sets out the requirements in this regard.
The majority of representations to my Department for the period set out by the Deputy, which coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, were in relation to restrictions on visitation that had been implemented to protect the residents of nursing homes from COVID-19 infection or were in relation to the service provided by the home. Any complaints of a serious nature are forwarded to HIQA as a matter of course and to the HSE where appropriate. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities. HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. HIQA has advised my Department that it received 15 pieces of unsolicited information (UROI) for the relevant period in relation to Phoenix Community Nursing Home, with 11 in 2020, 1 in 2021 and 3 in 2022 received.Themes* included:Safeguarding (12), Rights (12), Infection prevention and control measures (10), Quality ofcare (6), General welfare and development (3), Visiting (3).Governance and management (12), Communication (9), Information governance (1), Staffing (1)
40 pieces of unsolicited information (UROI) were received in relation to Ennis Road Care Facility for the relevant period, with 22 received in 2020, 6 in 2021, 7 in 2022 and 5 in 2023. Themes included:
Safeguarding (35), Rights (35), Quality of care (22), Infection prevention and control measures (14), Protection (7), General welfare and development (6), Premises (5). Governance and management (35), Staffing (16), Communication (14), Contracts (3), Complaints handling (2).
*A UROI can contain several themes.
