Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Health the reason supplementary criteria for persons with dementia drawn up in the previous iteration of the Health Information and Quality Authority residential care standards are not mentioned in the new draft standards; if this results in these supplementary criteria being discontinued; if HIQA will meet with interest groups to discuss this urgent issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45974/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Pursuant to the Health Act 2007, all residential and residential respite centres are registered as designated centres. The Health Act 2007 does not provide for the registration of a specific function (dementia care) for any centre.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland in 2009. HIQA commenced the revision of these Standards in 2013 after the first three-year cycle of registering and inspecting designated centres for older people. The revised draft National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older Peopleincorporates the learning from HIQA’s inspection and registration of designated centres for older people since 2009.

It is estimated that over 80% of residents in designated centres have some degree of cognitive impairment and all designated centres should therefore meet standards appropriate for people with dementia in a way that meets the assessed needs of each individual. Supplementary criteria to cater for people with dementia are thus not necessary.

HIQA convened a Standards Advisory Group for Older People during the revision of the standards, which had representation from advocacy groups for older people, service providers, academia and Government agencies.

HIQA also undertook a five-week targeted consultation with members of the Standards Advisory Group and their representative organisations. Further opportunities were provided to all stake-holders and interest groups to provide feedback during an eight-week public consultation that HIQA conducted on the revised draft National Standards. Focus groups were carried out with residents living in designated centres (including those with cognitive impairments and dementia) during the revision process, with relatives of residents living in designated centres and with staff working in designated centres.

In 2015, HIQA will carry out a programme of thematic inspections which will focus on dementia. The thematic inspections in dementia care will aim to provide assurance that the centres inspected are continually improving the level of dementia care provided to residents. HIQA will provide service providers with further guidance as part of the improvement focus following these thematic inspections.

HIQA already engages with stake-holders including the general public, persons who use services, service providers and advocacy groups about matters relating to its statutory remit. Individuals or organisations who may wish to discuss matters pertaining to the Authority’s remit should contact HIQA directly.