Written Answers Nos. 269-277
269. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a case (details supplied);and when the person concerned can expect an appointment for admission to the Cardiology Department, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. [14321/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
270. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were found non compliant in relation to regulations each year from 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the total number of inspections for each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14331/23]
View answer271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were found non compliant in relation to Regulation 15: Staffing each year from 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the total number of inspections for each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14332/23]
View answer272. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were found non compliant in relation Regulation 16: Training and Staff Development each year from 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the total number of inspections for each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14333/23]
View answer273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were found non compliant in relation to Regulation 5: Individual assessment and care plan in each year from 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the total number of inspections for each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14334/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 271, 272 and 273 together.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established in 2007 as an independent regulatory authority to drive high-quality and safe care for health and social care services in Ireland. Since 2009 the Office of the Chief Inspector within HIQA has been responsible for registering and inspecting older persons' public, voluntary and private residential services, including nursing homes.
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. Inspections of nursing homes are carried out by appointed inspectors of social services in accordance with section 43 (1) and (2) of the Health Act 2007 (as amended). These inspections predominantly focus on compliance with the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013. Although there are 34 such regulations, not all regulations are assessed on each inspection. The specific regulations assessed on each inspection will be informed by:
- Regulatory history.
- Trending of solicited or unsolicited information received since the last inspection.
- Solicited or unsolicited information received which may have triggered the inspection.
- Relevant sectoral information.
The number of regulations that are assessed on an individual inspection will be informed by the perceived risk, size of the nursing home, the number of inspectors and length of time since the previous inspection.
The attached document details the findings of compliance per regulation across all inspections in a given year, between 2018 and 2021. Please note data for 2022 has yet to be finalised.
It is important to note that some regulations are assessed infrequently, for example Regulation 30: Volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the assessment of compliance with regulations 32 and 33 in relation to notifications could only take place where such events actually occurred.
274. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide details on discussion/plans set out to strengthen HIQA powers with respect to inspecting individual complaints on nursing homes where safeguarding issues have been raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14338/23]
View answerSince 2009 HIQA has been the statutory independent regulator for the nursing home sector. HIQA welcomes information concerning designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. As a regulator, HIQA has no 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 and this range of information informs a risk-based approach to regulation.
All nursing homes are required to have an accessible and effective complaints procedure, including an appeals process and to ensure there is access to independent advocacy services under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013. In addition, the nursing home is required to notify the chief inspector of any allegation, suspected or confirmed, of abuse within three working days.
The Department commissioned a review of complaints processes in the nursing home sector in Ireland and internationally last year to determine the need to further develop enablers such as policy, legislative and/or guidance instruments to strengthen and enhance current arrangements. The review is available here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/a15a7-review-of-nursing-homes-complaints-policies-october-2022/.
Following this review, amendments to the 2013 Regulations were published in December 2022 to strengthen regulatory requirements, and these revised requirements came into effect on 1 March 2023. These amendments increase residents’ access to independent advocacy services, ensure that key personnel are suitably trained to deal with complaints and reviews and provide standardised timeframes for complaint and review procedures. The amendments also specify that complaints/review officers should be nominated to deal with complaints and reviews and encourage registered providers to offer practical assistance to residents in making complaints.
The revised Regulations are available here - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/628/made/en/print
In relation to safeguarding, the Department is at an advanced stage in the development of an overarching national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. In addition, the Law Reform Commission is preparing a report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding across all sectors.
275. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if an earlier appointment for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal can be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14371/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
276. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the parents of a child (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment from either Temple Street or Crumlin Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14372/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
277. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14861/23]
View answerStaff in the Department of Health set their annual learning and development goals through the PMDS process. These goals are set in discussion with their line manager while also addressing the skills requirements of the Department of Health.
Staff are offered a variety of learning and development opportunities that are focused on meeting their training needs. They have access to a wide selection of Civil Service tailored training courses through the OneLearning system, external training and informal or on-the-job training.
The attached table sets out the Department of Health's current record of the average number of days training undertaken, by grade, from 2019 to 2022. It is confined to formal training and development excluding informal and formal education leading to academic and professional qualifications. Information regarding an international comparison is not available to the Department at this time.
Avg. training days per person by grade for 2019 - 2022
|
Grade/Year |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
AO |
5.6 |
6.5 |
1.4 |
1.6 |
|
AP |
2.2 |
1.2 |
3.8 |
0.8 |
|
CO |
2.0 |
1.4 |
2.0 |
0.9 |
|
EO |
2.3 |
1.8 |
1.4 |
1.0 |
|
HEO |
2.5 |
1.4 |
2.5 |
0.7 |
|
MB |
0.1 |
0.2 |
11.0 |
0.1 |
|
PO |
1.4 |
0.8 |
4.6 |
0.5 |
|
SVO |
0.0 |
0.4 |
1.8 |
0.2 |
