The Health Act 2007 empowers the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) with the responsibility to inspect public, private and voluntary nursing homes and requires that all "designated centres" must be inspected and registered. The guiding principle for the inspection process are National Quality Standards

 

On 1st July 2016 the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland came into effect. The Standards represent a revision of the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (2009). 

 

Nursing Homes Ireland participated on the Advisory Group that informed the development of the Standards that were developed based upon legislation, research findings and best practice. Click here to read HIQA's Your Guide to National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. 

 

The Standards incorporate eight themes:

  • Person-centred Care and Support;
  • Effective Services;
  • Safe Services;
  • Health and Wellbeing;
  • Leadership, Governance and Management;
  • Use of Resources;
  • Responsive Workforce;
  • Use of Information.  

NHI members recognise the critical importance of having in place a comprehensive set of high-reaching standards that assist nursing homes in the delivery of optimal levels of care. NHI participated on the original working group that developed the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. 

 

NHI and HIQA meet on a regular basis to ensure the standards are proving effective and the independent Authority's monitoring of their implementation is proportionate and transparent.The inspection process must respect the rights of nursing home residents, visitors, owners and staff. NHI is of the view the Standards, coupled with a fair, transparent, consistent and proportionate inspection regime, provide reassurance to residents, their relatives, friends and the general public. Our vision that all residents in nursing homes  receive high quality care is one that is being realised through meaningful partnership with stakeholders such as HIQA.

 

Office of the Ombudsman

As of 24th August 2015, Members of the public can bring complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman about any private nursing home in receipt of public funding under subvention or the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal). The complaints brought before the Office must be in respect of administrative actions of private nursing homes. 

The Ombudsman provides a free, independent and impartial service for dealing with complaints. Members of the public are advised the Ombudsman can normally only deal with a complaint once you have already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home.  Only complaints about actions that occur on or after 24 August 2015 can be examined by the Ombudsman. 

Further detail re the Ombudsman's complaints procedure is available by clicking here. 

 

Contact

HIQA

You can visit the HIQA website here.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has two offices; a head office in Cork and a regional office in Dublin.

HIQA Head office: Unit 1301, City Gate, Mahon, Cork.

Tel: 021-2409300

HIQA Dublin Regional office: George's Court, George's Lane, Dublin 7.

Tel: 01-8147400

 

Office of the Ombudsman

You can visit the Office of the Ombudsman website here.

Address: 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE97.
Phone: +353-1-639 5600
Lo-call: 1890 223030
Email:ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie

NURSING HOME FINDER

Find a nursing home in your area...