Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the national protocols in place for the administration of psychotropic drugs to patients in nursing homes and other institutions in which persons are in care; the system of monitoring and inspection in place to ensure persons are not administered these drugs improperly or illegally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/23]
View answerThe Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (SI 173/2017) contains the regulations for the possession, supply and administration of controlled drugs in a nursing homes and similar settings. Oversight of the regulation is also provided for in the Regulation itself. Regulation 3 provides for nurse prescribing, Regulation 7 provides for the administration of Schedule 2,3 and 4 drugs. Regulation 9 provides for the supply of schedule 2,3,4 and 5 controlled drugs, Regulations 14 and 23 provides for documentation and record keeping, Regulation 15 provides for the form of prescription, Regulation 19 for the keeping of registers for drugs in Schedules 1 and 2, while Regulation 24 provides for furnishing of information with respect to controlled drugs.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) 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. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private, have been registered and inspected by HIQA. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising Regulations and National Standards.
Residents in nursing homes receive medication as prescribed by a general practitioner or physician and as dispensed by a pharmacist. Prescribing practices including the choice of drug is the prerogative of the medical profession and not subject to review by inspectors of social service.
Inspectors will review care records and medication administration records to ensure that residents receive their medication in line with the above prescriptions and any advice by the dispensing pharmacist.
