Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Ceist:57 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health whether he intends to introduce a code of ethics for nursing homes under the Nursing Home Act, 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15857/95]
Written Answers. - Nursing Homes Code of Ethics.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Ceist:58 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health whether complaints were received under the Nursing Homes Act, 1990, regulations in respect of an institution (details supplied) in County Galway; the manner in which these complaints were investigated by the health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15858/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. As the Deputy may be aware I recently launched the Code of Practice for Nursing Homes. The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly recommended that the Department in consultation with the health boards and representatives of nursing home proprietors, should draw up a code or practice for nursing homes. Work on the code took place in parallel with the preparation of the regulations to implement the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990. The code was prepared by a working party set up for the purpose.
The purpose of the code is to assist nursing home proprietors and staff, officers of the health boards and the general public to a better understanding of what is involved in providing high quality care to residents of nursing homes. The code attempts to define what is currently considered to be good quality nursing home care. It builds on the best practice in nursing homes at present.
With regard to complaints about a particular nursing home in Galway, the Western Health Board inform me that they received some complaints about this nursing home earlier this year. These complaints were investigated by a health board inspection team and the problem has now been resolved. The board continue to monitor patient care and compliance with the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations, 1993, in this nursing home.