Dr. Kathleen MacLellan:

Part of the work we are doing in looking at HIQA regulations is how we can encompass the safe staffing framework within them. HIQA inspections are how nursing homes retain their registration. This could be an area inspected by HIQA. HIQA reports, as they are, comment on staffing and staff availability. We would like to see the safe staffing model. We will work to see how that could become part of the regulatory framework for nursing homes.

We will look to see if that would be feasible as that would give an extra strength in the regulation of those nursing homes.