Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
495. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether HIQA, the HSE or his Department informed safeguarding and protection teams of concerns in a nursing home (details supplied) in Q1 2021; and whether further concerns were passed to the NMBI. [50642/23]
View answerI am not aware if any concerns were raised with safeguarding and protection teams in relation to the nursing home referred to as this is an operational issue.
More generally, Public Health and Community Response Teams in the HSE were responsible for supporting nursing homes during COVID-19 outbreaks. I understand that the HSE was notified of an outbreak at this nursing home in early January 2021. When notified of this outbreak, an Outbreak Management Team was convened by the Director of Public Health. In this instance, Public Health specialists and nurses worked with the Community Response Team to support the nursing home through the provision of a range of supports.
Concerning the second issue which the Deputy has raised, as this question relates to an operational matter of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
