Alan Kelly
Ceist:492. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the patient safety bill will be fully commenced this year; and if not, the reason. [50639/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 November 2023
Ceisteanna (492)
Freagraí scríofa
The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 provides a legislative framework for a number of important patient safety issues, including the mandatory open disclosure of a list of specified serious patient safety incidents that must be disclosed to the patient and/or their family, and the expansion of HIQA’s remit into private hospital services. The Act was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President on 2nd May 2023.
Prior to commencement of the Act, there are a number of preparatory steps required. These are currently being progressed and significant multi-stakeholder engagement is now taking place across the health system.The Act establishes a mandatory requirement for the notification of certain serious patient safety incidents. To facilitate this notification process, a new module to the existing National Incident Management System (NIMS) must be designed, tested and implemented before this provision can be commenced. Work with key stakeholders, including the HSE, State Claims Agency, HIQA and the Mental Health Commission, is currently taking place. The HSE advise that work is underway to finalise and fully roll out their new open disclosure training policy and communications plan to all staff regarding the new disclosure and notification requirements under the Act before its implementation can be rolled out.The Patient Safety Act also mandates open disclosure of patient requested review of cancer screening and the implementation of a communications programme regarding such reviews. The HSE and the Screening Services and currently finalising these processes.Once these preparatory steps have been completed, the intention is to commence the Act at the earliest possible date.