Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The standard set by HIQA will apply to the public health service, which is made up by the HSE and service providers funded by the executive. HIQA standards will also apply to services provided by the private sector on behalf of the executive. Moreover, the new inspection system provided for in the Bill with the establishment of the office of the chief inspector of social services will encompass private nursing homes. HIQA can also operate accreditation programmes for the public and private services. The spirit of the amendment, therefore, is to be found in the Bill.

It is important to refer to the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance that the Minister recently established. It will look at the issue of the licensing of hospitals and have an associated enforcement regime. A requirement for all health care providers, public and private, to be licensed for service delivery by the State would ensure that minimum standards of professional qualification and premises quality must be complied with. Accordingly, I do not intend to accept the amendment.

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