Written answers

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Department of Health

Nursing Home Inspections

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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644. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 120 complaints about nursing homes in County Cork sent to HIQA in the past two years that resulted in action being taken; the specific action in each case; the person or body that took the action; if individual complaints were specifically investigated; if so, the details of same; the outcomes of these investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12951/19]

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for older people, such as nursing homes, in Ireland.

Between the period 1 January 2017 to 11 March 2019 HIQA received 132 concerns relating to designated centres for older persons in Co. Cork. In the case of 39 of these concerns, HIQA requested the provider of the service to conduct an immediate investigation into the concern. HIQA subsequently followed up with the provider to ensure that appropriate and satisfactory action had been taken to address the issue, and has confirmed that appropriate action was taken in all 39 cases. No further follow-up is required. 88 of the 132 concerns were followed up by HIQA inspectors on inspection, a further four were reclassified as general queries, and one concern was judged to be outside HIQA’s remit.

HIQA does not have the legal remit to investigate individual concerns; however, all unsolicited information received about services is assessed against the regulations and the national standards. This information is risk-rated and used to support HIQA's inspection programme.

If there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of service users, HIQA will undertake escalated regulatory action in relation to that service, up to and including the cancellation of registration.

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