Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Ceisteanna (1256)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

1256. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if organised window visits by appointment at nursing homes will be permitted under the level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the 1 October the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s (HPSC) new COVID-19 Guidance on visitations to Long Term Residential Care Facilities was published. The revised guidance followed a substantial review process.

This guidance aligns with the 5 level framework of restrictive measures as outlined in the Government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan, to support long-term residential care providers in the discharge of their responsibilities and to support in the safe visiting, to the greatest extent possible, having regard for the challenging times in which we are living.

The new guidance provides a clear and open framework for visiting. It provides guidance on the measures required to be adopted by nursing homes and by visitors to mitigate risks associated with visiting. It also re-emphasises that in circumstances where visiting may need to be restricted or suspended in nursing homes for the protection of residents and staff, alternative arrangements such as “window visiting” is acceptable across all 5 levels of the framework of restrictive measures, providing a nursing home can safely facilitate them, and that arrangements should be in place to support virtual visiting (telephone or video-link) to the greatest extent possible.

It is also important to note that each individual nursing home provider has legal responsibilities under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 with regard to facilitating visits. A provider may determine that restrictions may be required if in their opinion visits would pose a risk to residents. It is therefore a matter for each provider to consider the arrangements they have in place in relation to visiting. The HPSC’s guidance has been developed to assist providers in this regard.

As I have previously publicly stated, I encourage all nursing homes to remain familiar with the latest public health advice and support, and to make every effort to continue to facilitate visitors in line with public health advice. While many nursing homes have shown great, innovative practice throughout the pandemic, I continue to urge all nursing homes to have plans in place for innovative, safe alternative visiting and communication arrangements for residents and their families and friends, during periods of enhanced protective measures. The importance of continued social interaction of residents and their families cannot be understated and every effort should be made, in line with public health advice, to ensure that these interactions continue, including through window visits.

On 22 September I wrote to all nursing home providers with regard to the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel’s recommendations, with a particular focus on communication, both in terms of the ongoing situation and visiting protocols.

Officials in my Department have also written separately to the national representative body for nursing homes, encouraging providers to maintain familiarity with the latest public health advice and support, to make every effort to continue to facilitate and ensure that nursing home residents receive visitors in critical and compassionate circumstances, in line with public health advice, and to communicate with family and friends on an ongoing basis in order to support positive mental health and wellbeing. These measures are in place to safeguard the health of residents in these facilities, and also the health of those staff that provide care and support to residents.

Barr
Roinn