Written answers

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Department of Health

Health Services Regulation

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health his plans to independently regulate home help support and care packages providers; in view of the Willis Commission Report findings on nursing education in the UK, which recommended that nurses should supervise and delegate work to healthcare assistants, who should also have clearly defined roles in the interest of patient safety [55367/12]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Government for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits the Government to developing and implementing national standards for home support services, which will be subject to inspection by the Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA).

All relevant implications arising from this proposal will obviously have to be taken into account including, for example, recent reports by The Law Reform Commission or other relevant national or international reports relating to the issue of regulation of the home care sector.

Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. The question of possible changes to legislation, including regulation, inspection and complaints procedures for Home Care services for older people is at present under consideration. The Department is examining this matter in the overall context of the licensing of Health Care providers. Legislation is currently being prepared and various options are being considered, including the complex legal issues involved, and the need to prioritise legislation across the Social Care area overall.

It should be noted that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving the safety and quality of services and that other measures have or are being taken to improve Home Support services delivered by, or on behalf of, the Health Service Executive (HSE). This approach includes a new public Procurement Framework for Home Care services (with quality and screening requirements); new National Quality Guidelines for Home Support Services, and new National Home Help Guidelines . These various measures, taken together, have been designed to improve relevant aspects of HSE Home Care provision nationally, pending progression of the legislative proposals raised by the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.