Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
723. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints made to HIQA in respect of nursing homes in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023; the number of adverse findings made in each of those years; and the counties in which there were the highest per capita incidence of complaints made. [32841/23]
View answerHIQA was established under the Health Act 2007, as amended, to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and personal social services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the
public. HIQA’s regulatory role is to regulate designated centres for older people, people with a disability and special care units. HIQA also regulates medical ionising radiation exposure and
monitors standards in acute and community hospitals and some children’s social care services. HIQA does not currently have a remit to monitor private hospitals against the National Standards for Safer
Better Healthcare. In addition, HIQA has no statutory remit to manage or respond to individual complaints, this is the statutory responsibility of the service provider. However, while HIQA does not investigate or
resolve individual complaints it does welcome feedback about centres and services under its remit – we the Authority refers to as unsolicited information. All unsolicited information (UROI) received is acknowledged, logged and examined by HIQA. If the information relates to a service within HIQA’s remit, it is reviewed by an inspector to establish if the information received indicates a risk to the safety, effectiveness, and management of the service, and the day-to-day care the resident or patient receives. HIQA has advised my Department that the unsolicited information allows HIQA to:
• ensure services continue to meet high standards of care for patients and residents
• consider how well providers handle complaints and use them as opportunities to improve
care for patients and residents
• identify any trends or patterns that could indicate that something unacceptable is happening in a service
• make decisions when registering and or renewing the registration of designated centres.
If HIQA considers that the service provider may not be compliant with the regulations and or national standards, they can respond by:
• asking the service provider to submit additional information on the issue
• requesting a plan from the service provider outlining how the issue will be investigated and addressed
• using the information on inspection
• carrying out an unannounced inspection to assess the quality and safety of the care being provided in the service.
In addition, where the information indicates that people may be at immediate risk, HIQA will use its full legal powers and report the incident, where appropriate, to the Gardaí, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) or the Health Service Executive (HSE’s) Adult Safeguarding Team.
Details of the total number or UROIs per year about designated centres for older people is attached.
