Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Health if he will detail the total number of inspections by outside parties that Portlaoise hospital has had in the past five years including the date, nature of inspection and the person who conducted the inspection; if he will also provide details of the outcomes that arose from these inspections for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Since late 2012 HIQA has been carrying out a monitoring programme against the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (NSPCHCAI). Both I and my Department welcome the publication of HIQA's reports and note the concerns raised in them about hand hygiene practices particularly among medical staff.

HIQA carried out an unannounced inspection on the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise on 4th December, 2012 for compliance with the NSPCHCAI. The Authority found the hospital to be partially compliant with the national standards. Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise was asked to develop a quality improvement plan (QIP) that prioritised the improvements necessary to fully comply with the national standards. The QIP was to be published within 6 weeks of the date of the publication of the HIQA report.

In addition, the Authority made a number of recommendations regarding the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections governance arrangements in place at the hospital. Ultimate responsibility for adherence to national standards and the implementation of recommendations lies with the provider, in this instance the Health Service Executive (HSE).

With regard to the question of the total number of inspections by outside parties that Portlaoise Hospital has had in the past five years, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with this information.