Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps that have been taken arising from the shocking conditions in the Leas Cross nursing home disclosed in the "Prime Time Investigates" programme on RTE; the steps which have been taken to determine whether similar conditions exist in other nursing homes; if, in view of serious public concern at conditions in some nursing homes, she will expedite the introduction of legislation to provide for an independent system of inspection of nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20820/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is extremely concerned at the situation in Leas Cross nursing home. It is unacceptable that older people should be subjected to the type of environment portrayed by the "Prime Time" programme.

I wish to inform the House that the Health Service Executive appointed: a director of nursing to oversee its operation; a team of support clinicians, including a senior nurse manager, drawn from the HSE; a team of occupational therapists, to assess all patients in regard to seating, mobility and other related areas; a team of dieticians to assess the dietetic needs of all patients; and an independent investigating team to inquire into the allegations highlighted on the "Prime Time" programme.

The director of nursing, who now manages the delivery of care in Leas Cross, keeps HSE senior management informed on a daily basis about service delivery issues.

However, the HSE having reviewed the standards of patient care at the home, has decided to move public patients to alternative nursing home care more appropriate to their needs as it is of the opinion that these patients are not being appropriately cared for at the home. The HSE is also advising the families of other residents of the home that they would be well advised to consider seeking alternative accommodation for their relatives. In addition, the HSE is considering applying to the courts to have the home de-registered as it is of the opinion that the home is in breach of some of the conditions of its registration as a private nursing home and is not in a position to provide appropriate care to its residents.

The HSE has also initiated a review of the current approach to nursing home inspections. This review will examine issues such as preparation work undertaken, assessment tools used, methodologies employed during inspections, guidelines dealing with announced and unannounced visits, and procedures to assess the quality of care. The reviewer has been asked to provide a report to the HSE outlining his findings, including any actions which should be taken to improve the quality of the inspection process and to identify any other issues that need to be addressed for the future.

It is the intention of the HSE, that, following this review all completed inspection forms will be published on the HSE website for public information. However, with immediate effect the reports of all completed inspections of nursing homes should be made available to members of the public on request subject to the freedom of information legislation.

As already announced, the social services inspectorate is to be established on a statutory basis. Legislation to give effect to this will be published later this year. The inspectorate will be charged with the inspection of both public and private nursing homes and will be responsible for reporting on standards of care in such homes.

In addition, the Department of Health and Children is urgently reviewing the operation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and regulations made under the Act to see which powers available to the Health Service Executive need to be strengthened.