Written answers

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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452. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Information and Quality Authority has ever submitted a proposed standard for approval under the Health Act 2007 to monitor patient safety risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40288/14]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has not submitted a specific standard to my Department for approval aimed at monitoring patient safety risks.

HIQA currently monitors and inspects against approved standards in health and social care settings which seek to improve patient safety and the quality of services delivered. Under the Health Act 2007 HIQA monitors compliance with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, which were published in June 2012. These National Standards refer to the responsibilities of service providers in respect of patient safety risks.

The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013 (SI 415/2013) and the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013,(S.I. 367 of 2013) contain comprehensive provisions for the purpose of ensuring proper standards are in place. Schedule 5 to these Regulations lists the policies and procedures that a registered provider must have in place including, for example, health and safety (to include infection control and food safety); risk management; prevention, detection and response to abuse; staff training; responding to emergencies; fire safety management; medications management.

National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities are also in place. These standards outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from residential care services. They also seek to ensure that vulnerable older people and people with disabilities in residential services are safeguarded and protected and their quality of life is enhanced.

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