Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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415. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent audit at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, by HIQA (details supplied); his further views on the high infection prevention and control risks revealed in that report; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35889/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Each year, HIQA carries out a number of unannounced inspections in public acute hospitals in Ireland to monitor compliance with the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections. The aim of unannounced inspections such as these is to assess hygiene in the hospital as observed by the inspection team and experienced by patients at any given time.

In response to HIQA's findings, each hospital is expected to develop a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that prioritises the improvements necessary to comply with the National Standards. These plans must be published and made accessible on the websites of the individual hospitals within six weeks of publication of the Authority's report.

HIQA's work in this field is to be commended and is something I place a high value on in my role as Minister for Health. It is vital that all elements of the Health service strive to reach best practice standards in all areas of their work, and the inspection regime put in place by HIQA is playing a major role in driving improvements across the health service.

As the updating of the QIP is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this point.