Written answers
Thursday, 2 March 2006
Department of Health and Children
Care of the Elderly
5:00 pm
Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the role the health information quality authority will have in relation to standards of care of the elderly in public and private residential facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8327/06]
Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the standard and quality of services and facilities in nursing homes the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, made under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, set out the standards to which private nursing homes must adhere. The Health Service Executive currently carries out inspections in private nursing homes. In the context of the Health Bill 2006 the process has begun to review the current system with a view to strengthening the powers available to those involved in inspecting facilities and to extend a strengthened inspection system to public facilities.
It is also intended that the Bill will provide for the setting and monitoring of standards for residential facilities for older people. In addition, the Department has commenced a review of the Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993, and is working in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, the social services inspectorate and the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board, IHSAB, with the intention of developing standards that will apply to all residential services for older people. It is intended that the Health Bill 2006 will establish both the health information quality authority and the social services inspectorate on a statutory basis and will contain provisions to underpin a more robust inspectorial system.
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