1 July 2024 marked our 15th anniversary of regulating nursing homes.
Since July 2009, we have been responsible for monitoring, inspecting and registering designated centres for older people, also known as nursing homes, to ensure that residents receive a high quality of care.
Before this, the Health Service Executive (HSE) was responsible for the registration and inspection of private and voluntary residential care services.
HIQA was established in 2007 following a 2005 RTÉ ‘Prime Time Investigates’ programme into conditions and work practices in the Leas Cross Nursing Home in Dublin, and a subsequent expert review of residents’ deaths in the nursing home stated that the setting up of HIQA would ensure an independent inspectorate for such services.
Between 2007 and 2009, HIQA prepared for the regulation of nursing homes by developing national standards for the services, meeting with providers and persons in charge of nursing homes and training inspectorate staff.
By September 2010, all nursing homes had received at least one HIQA inspection, with a registration decision made on all nursing homes by June 2012.
As of 31 December 2023, we are responsible for the monitoring and inspection of 553 registered designated centres for older people providing 32,214 registered beds.
While the past 15 years have provided challenges in the sector, from changing regulations to the COVID-19 pandemic which had a significant impact on people living in and working in nursing homes, we have always aimed to continue providing safer, better care.
To mark the anniversary, we will be publishing a 15-year overview report on our work in nursing homes. We are also planning to hold a national event for nursing home providers on 17 October.
The event will look back over the last 15 years of regulation of nursing homes, the changes which have occurred and the plans for the future.