22 Mar 2021, 14:53
The Joint Committee on Health will discuss the regulation of nursing homes and the development of a new model of care for older people at a meeting in Committee Room 2, Leinster House tomorrow, Tuesday, 23 March at 9.30am.
Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA,) Chief Executive Officer Phelim Quinn and Dr Kathleen MacLellan, Chair of the Implementation Panel on the Expert Panel Report on Covid-19 in Nursing Homes, will appear before the Committee for the virtual meeting.
The Committee will discuss the need for regulatory reform, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nursing homes, and the progress on the statutory home care package.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chair Seán Crowe TD said: “Residents in nursing homes, where there is a high level of vaccination, can receive two visits per week on compassionate grounds from today. This is welcome and positive news for residents and their families.”
“Nursing home residents have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic. The high level of deaths from Covid-19 and outbreaks in nursing homes has shone a spotlight on this sector. It has led to a series of recommendations and calls for change, including regulatory reform, to safeguard residents both in the immediate and long-term.”
“The Committee welcomes this engagement with Mr. Phelim Quinn and Dr Kathleen MacLellan to discuss the current situation for the thousands of men and women living in nursing homes, progress made on recommendations for change and plans and proposals for future reform.”
There are almost 580 nursing homes registered with HIQA, with approximately 32,000 residents across the State.
View the Committee live.
Committee membership
Deputies