Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue in such a sensitive manner because it is very difficult for the many families that may be listening in, who are very concerned about their loved ones receiving care in nursing homes throughout the country. I am sure the House will understand my reluctance to speak in any great detail about the specifics of one particular nursing home. Since the onset of this pandemic, HIQA has put in place a quality assessment process, whereby all designated residential centres are formally contacted on a regular basis by an inspector or social services to assess how they are coping, the welfare of the residents, any concerns they have and any deficits identified in their ability to sustain a safe, high quality service. As the regulator for the nursing home sector, HIQA has completed a risk assessment of all nursing homes. In addition, a HIQA Covid-19 assurance framework was published on 28 September to support social care services in order to ensure effective infection prevention and control practices are in place.

The central focus of the response to Covid-19 has been controlling the spread of the virus insofar as possible. Sustained communication and interagency co-operation also remains central to the response to Covid-19. A package of supports was put in place, which has been of critical importance. Those supports include guidance, PPE, staffing, serial testing of all staff on a fortnightly basis since June, infection prevention and control training, and financial supports for the nursing home sector, both public and private. In addition, public health outbreak control teams and multidisciplinary clinical supports are in place at CHO level, with 23 Covid-19 response teams.

Unfortunately, this information does not answer the Senator's specific questions and I cannot speak specifically about one particular nursing home. However, I assure him that the HSE has been onsite from a very early stage and is working constructively. I will make sure of the commitment I gave the Senator today that the families will be communicated with. As I have said, I will raise this matter immediately on my return to the Department.