Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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619. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is no statutory protection for old and vulnerable persons with regard to adult neglect (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30694/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the health sector a number of measures are in place, or are being developed, to protect adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

The HSE published its national safeguarding policy and procedures, Safeguarding Vulnerable People at Risk of Abuse, in December 2014. This provides clear guidelines and procedures for staff to follow both in cases of suspected abuse and of neglect of vulnerable adults (including older people). This safeguarding policy was the first such HSE policy to encompass both elder abuse and neglect as well as concerns of abuse and neglect relating to people availing of disability services.

The HSE has established a number of structures to implement its national safeguarding policy. This includes a National Safeguarding Office, an advisory National Safeguarding Committee, Specialist Safeguarding and Protection Teams in each of the 9 CHO Areas, more than 1,500 designated safeguarding officers, and over 41,000 attendances at safeguarding policy and procedures training.

In December 2017 the Government approved the development of a national adult safeguarding policy for the health sector. The policy will apply across the wide spectrum of the health sector, i.e. in the public, private and voluntary sectors, and will be supported by any necessary legislation.

A detailed review of the operation of the HSE’s operational safeguarding policy is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed soon. The findings of the HSE’s safeguarding review will assist the Department of Health’s development of appropriate policy approaches for the wider health sector.

HIQA and the Mental Health Commission are currently in the process of jointly developing National Standards for Adult Safeguarding, with advisory input from the Department of Health among others.

Together these initiatives should greatly improve the safeguarding of adults at risk of abuse and neglect in the health sector.