asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce legislation for private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Private Nursing Homes.
30.
As I have previously indicated in this House, I consider that there is a need for a registration system for hospitals and nursing homes. The Health (Homes for Incapacitated Persons) Act, which is the current legislation governing the operation of private nursing homes, does not provide for the registration of nursing homes but merely for the notification of the establishment of nursing homes to the relevant health authority. The introduction of legislation for the registration of hospitals and nursing homes is being considered in the context of detailed proposals which I am currently preparing for submission to Government on the reorganisation of the health services.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently introduced new regulations under the 1964 Act which contain much stricter standards for private nursing homes and provide for frequent monitoring of these homes by the health boards. These regulations provide for:
(i) the keeping of records in respect of patients, staff, fire precautions and equipment.
(ii) the care of the dying, the making of mortuary arrangements and notification of deaths,
(iii) the extent of care to be provided,
(iv) minimum standards of accommodation, facilities and safety requirements,
(v) minimum staffing levels,
(vi) the powers of a health board to inspect a home and its records and the frequency of inspections.