Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of Health Information and Quality Authority inspections carried out in hospitals and nursing homes in north Tipperary this year; the results of these inspections; the number of establishments that have not received an inspection to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23878/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is given statutory responsibility for the inspection of hospitals under the Health Act, 2007. I have been informed by the Authority that it continues to monitor compliance with National Hygiene Services Quality Standards. This takes the form of ongoing unannounced visits to randomly selected acute hospitals, with this series of inspections focusing specifically on the day to day delivery of hygiene services, particularly in the areas of cleanliness, hand hygiene and waste and linen management practices. Following each visit, a detailed report is provided to each hospital to inform them of areas of strength and areas for further improvement. These reports are published on the HIQA website to provide patients and the public with detailed information on the hygiene services in each hospital. No reports have been published for hospitals in Tipperary North in 2010.

Under the Health Act, 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of HIQA for inspecting and registering of residential services for children, older people and people with disabilities. I have been informed by HIQA that between 1 January and 28 May 2010, the Authority undertook a total of 11 inspections in 10 designated centres for older people in Tipperary North. There are 7 centres which have not yet been inspected in Tipperary North. With regard to the findings of HIQA inspections, all inspection reports are available for download from www.hiqa.ie. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the results of individual inspections.