David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 27:

In page 38, line 30, to delete “7 days” and substitute “3 days”.

These amendments all do exactly the same thing, that is, reduce from seven to three days the timeframe within which a provider must notify HIQA or the Mental Health Commission that a notifiable incident has occurred. I understand the standard practice across HIQA for notifying incidents is already three days as opposed to seven days. Given the urgency of this, perhaps the Minister will agree that the quicker the notification, the better. Will he explain why the Bill provides for seven days rather than a shorter period? We are seeking to bring in a level of consistency with what already happens and which I believe is standard practice across HIQA and the Mental Health Commission. The amendments seek to reduce the time within which a provider must notify HIQA or the Mental Health Commission of a notifiable incident from seven to three days.