Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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253. To ask the Minister for Health when the last unannounced inspection carried out by HIQA took place at a nursing home (details supplied); the staff-patient ratio at the home; the mechanisms in place to ensure the implementation of each individual patient care plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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All designated residential centres for older people, including the private nursing home referred to by the Deputy, are registered with and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. In accordance with the Health Act (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations, 2013, as amended, all designated centres must ensure that the number and skill mix of staff is appropriate to the needs of their residents. The Regulations also include specific requirements in relation to the assessment of each resident, and the preparation, review and revision of the care plan for each resident.

The purpose of the Regulations is to ensure proper standards apply to all designated centres. HIQA carries out a programme of scheduled and unannounced inspections to assess whether residential centres are providing high quality, safe and effective services and supports to residents, and ensures that any issues or deficiencies are addressed and rectified. Where issues of non-compliance are identified, HIQA’s inspection reports include a series of follow-on actions that the registered provider must implement within a prescribed time-frame.

Reports of inspections carried out by HIQA are published on the Authority's website www.hiqa.ie, and the reports outline the type of inspection carried out, along with the findings and outcomes of the inspection.