Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee to discuss Expert Panel on Nursing Homes report

Chair of the Expert Panel, Professor Cecily Kelleher and representatives of the HSE and officials from the Department of Health are among the witnesses that will appear before the Committee of TDs in the Seanad Chamber over two sessions tomorrow.

• Professor Kelleher and members of the Covid-19 Expert Panel on Nursing Homes, Professor Cillian Twomey and Brigid Doherty will appear before the Committee from Committee Room 2 tomorrow at 10am.
• Assistant Secretary and the Department of Health, Dr Kathleen MacLellan, HSE National Clinical & Advisory Group Lead, Older Persons, Dr Siobhan Kennelly and HSE Assistant National Director, Services for Older People, Sandra Tuohy will appear before the Committee at 12.30pm.

Committee Chair, Michael McNamara TD said: “The examination of the Expert Panel Report is part of the Committee’s on-going investigation into Covid-19 in nursing homes. Data showed that by mid-July, eight out of ten notified deaths from Covid-19 occurred in the over 75 age group and that deaths in nursing homes represented more than half of total deaths.

“The Expert Panel report published last month contains a range of recommendations aimed to safeguard residents in nursing homes over the next 12-18 months and longer.

“The Committee heard from HIQA last week on its report on this issue. Tomorrow’s meeting will assist the Committee to determine whether a recommendation for a  public inquiry is necessary to examine how Covid-19 impacted on nursing homes.”

Watch the Committee live here.