Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2006
75 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to protect patients in all care settings in view of the revelation of further mismanagement of elderly patients at Leas Cross Nursing Home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8355/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the standard and quality of services and facilities in nursing homes the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, made under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, set out the standards to which private nursing homes must adhere. The Health Service Executive currently carries out inspections in private nursing homes. In the context of the Health Bill 2006 the process has begun to review the current system with a view to strengthening the powers available to those involved in inspecting facilities and to extend a strengthened inspection system to public facilities.
It is also intended that the Bill will provide for the setting and monitoring of standards for residential facilities for older people. In addition, the Department has commenced a review of the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, and is working in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, the social services inspectorate and the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board, IHSAB, with the intention of developing standards that will apply to all residential services for older people. It is intended that the Health Bill 2006 will establish both the health information quality authority, HIQA, and social services inspectorate on a statutory basis and will contain provisions to underpin a more robust inspectorial system.
