Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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221. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were late submitting NFO1 forms in 2020; the number of serious incidents that were reported to HIQA in 2020; if HIQA included serious incidents in its reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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HIQA have informed me that the Chief Inspector is notified by persons in charge of nursing homes of many issues pertaining to the care and welfare of residents. Registered providers or persons in charge of a designated centre, are legally required to notify the Chief Inspector within certain timeframes about incidents, events or changes affecting the wellbeing of residents within 72 hours of the event happening. In 2020, the Chief Inspector received over 8000 notifications of incidents, 1833 of these were NF01 notifications. A NF01 notification covers an unexpected death of any resident, including the death of any resident following transfer to hospital from the designated centre.

It is not possible to retrieve data on the number of these notifications which were submitted late. The Chief Inspector can retrieve the forms submitted, however the system does not capture when notifications are submitted outside of the 72 hour timeframe, but where there are delays the Chief Inspector works with services on a case by case basis.

Notifications HIQA receives from nursing homes are reported in the annual overview report on the regulation of designated centres for older persons.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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222. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were late submitting NFO1 forms in 2020; the number of facilities that submitted forms later than three days after the death of a resident in 2020; the way in which HIQA was keeping track of deaths and infection in nursing homes during Covid-19 if forms were not submitted in time, that is, three days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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HIQA have informed me that during 2020, while many private and statutory nursing homes were managing COVID-19 outbreaks, multiple nursing homes did not return NF01s within the 72 hour timeframe. This was expected and understandable, as their primary focus was on outbreak management and providing care. HIQA is in constant contact with nursing homes and works with them during outbreaks.

It is not possible to retrieve data on the number of forms submitted late. The Chief Inspector can retrieve the forms submitted, however the system does not capture when notifications are submitted outside of the 72 hour timeframe. When there are delays of NF01s, the Chief Inspector works with services on a case by case basis.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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223. To ask the Minister for Health if the nursing home referred to in minutes of a meeting (details supplied) is a particular nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this was a HSE operational meeting , I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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224. To ask the Minister for Health if RCSI hospital staff provided assistance in a nursing home (details supplied) on 13 April 2020. [12357/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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225. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes he directly requested the CEO of the HSE to support and to examine the support needed in March and April 2020. [12358/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Sustained communication and interagency cooperation has been central to the response to COVID-19. Extensive, ongoing and problem-solving collaboration between stakeholders, the HSE, the NTPF, HIQA and the Department continues. The State’s responsibility to respond to the public health emergency created the need for the HSE to establish a structured nursing home support system in line with NPHET recommendations in March 2020. This has been a critical intervention in supporting the resilience of the sector in meeting the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19. Guidance, PPE, staffing, serial testing, infection prevention and control training, accommodation and financial support have been provided to the nursing home sector, both public and private. In addition, multi-disciplinary clinical supports are in place at CHO level through 23 COVID-19 Response Teams.

In the context of the collaborative arrangements, through engagement with registered providers through inspections, check ins and review of notifications and other information, the Chief Inspector of HIQA notifies actual or potential risk when appropriate to the HSE for the purpose of identifying service providers that may require additional external support such as IPC and public health advice, PPE, clinical input etc. This support, where possible and appropriate, is typically provided by the HSE COVID-19 response teams. In accordance with the regulatory framework, irrespective of the availability, or not, of additional HSE support to providers, nursing home operators retain legal responsibility for delivering safe care in accordance with regulation, and the regulatory oversight is provided by HIQA. Where the Department, including through the Ministers Office receives information regarding a nursing home requiring support, where appropriate, details are provided to the HSE and/or HIQA for appropriate follow up in line with the established structures.