Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1311. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the report into the tragic death of a person (details supplied) and the subsequent recommendations will be published in full; if not, if he will detail the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28461/23]
View answer1312. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health in respect of the tragic death of a person (details supplied), subsequent to the completion of the report into the tragic circumstances of their death, if, at any stage, this clear neglect of a vulnerable adult was referred to the gardaí by any the services involved; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28462/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1311 and 1312 together.
While I cannot comment on individual cases I am aware of the tragic death of the person referred to and I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the family for their sad loss.
I requested the HSE to lead on a clinical incident review under their Incident Management Framework, reviewing the care provided to the resident in the nursing home. The systems analysis review was requested in order to establish the facts of what happened with a view to identifying any learning that will inform improvement in relation to the quality and safety of service provision.
As the nursing home is question is private, the review was carried out on an ‘administrative’ basis as the HSE, in the normal course of events, has no jurisdiction over the actions or activities of private nursing homes.
I am grateful to the HSE for carrying out the review, and the final report was shared with the family and the professional advocacy service supporting the family involved.
The final report made 24 recommendations, the majority of which were for the nursing home involved. My officials are engaging with the relevant parties on the progression and implementation of the recommendations. HIQA have carried out regular inspections of the nursing home in question, and these reports are published on their website. I understand good progress has been made in improving the quality and safety of the service.
On the wider issue, significant changes and improvements have been made in recent years arising from learnings during the pandemic. The Nursing Home Expert Panel’s recommendations have implemented many significant improvements such as the expansion of the Patient Advocacy Service to residents in private nursing homes. The Nursing Homes Regulations were amended to provide clarity in relation to residents’ right of access to independent advocacy services, and the regulations were also amended to enhance and standardise requirements in relation to complaints processes in nursing homes. Legislation is also being prepared to amend the 2007 Health Act to provide the Chief Inspector of Social Services in HIQA with further enforcement powers.
