Paul Murphy
Ceist:1991. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will implement a care partner system under his powers in the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, similar to that in Northern Ireland [43983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (1991)
Freagraí scríofa
People living in nursing homes and other residential care facilities have a right to maintain meaningful relationships with people who are important to them. Visiting is an essential part of that right. In recognition of this, the Nominated Support Person was introduced in visiting guidance that came into effect in February 2022. The guidance noted that the nominated support person should normally have unrestricted access to the resident for most of the day and that access of the nominated support person would be in addition to and not instead of visitor access. Further detail on this role was set out in visiting guidance provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). This guidance has now been retired.
As the Deputy will be aware, in line with the move to further normalise visiting to nursing homes and recognising that visiting plays an essential role in supporting the rights and wellbeing of people who live in nursing homes, public health advice is that full access to visiting should be facilitated to the greatest degree practical for all residents. The revised Infection Prevention and Control guidance, which came into effect on 4 July 2022, includes a set of principles to support access and visiting in nursing homes.
The full guidance is available on the HPSC website www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/residentialcarefacilities/IPC%20and%20PH%20guidance%20for%20outbreaks.pdf
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. In a broad sense, visits to nursing homes are governed by legislation under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013; regulation 11 provides that the nursing home should facilitate visiting and not restrict visiting except in circumstances such as the resident requesting same, or potential risk posed from visiting. The regulations also require that the nursing home has suitable facilities in place and available for residents to receive visits. It is the legal responsibility of each provider to assess the risks and mitigation measures associated with their service and how best to manage visits having regards to the specific circumstances that arise in relation to their service.