Issue 28
Message from our CEO, Phelim Quinn
Welcome to the latest edition of HIQA News.
In recent days, HIQA has published its independent advice to the Minister for Health on extending the HPV vaccine to boys.
HIQA advises extending HPV vaccine to boys and switching to a more effective vaccine
HIQA published recommendations from its health technology assessment (HTA) on extending the HPV vaccine to boys on Friday, 7 December.
National Patient Experience Survey results
The results of the 2018 inpatient survey were launched on Monday, 26 November.
The National Patient Experience Survey, a joint initiative by HIQA, as the lead partner; the Health Service Executive (HSE); and the Department of Health, ran for the second time in May this year. The survey asked patients about their experiences of hospital care to find out what is working well in our health service, and what needs to be improved.
Resident advocacy group engagement
During 2018, our Disability Team has been seeking the views of residents who live in designated centres in a range of ways. As well as gathering residents’ views while on inspection and through questionnaires, the team engaged with advocacy groups to seek residents’ views about the inspection process and how inspectors can recognise a good-quality service from the perspective of people living in centres.
One Health event to mark European Antibiotics Awareness Day
Members of our Standards Team attended the One Health event on 20 November 2018 to mark European Antibiotics Awareness Day and share our National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services.
Pictured at the event, from left to right, are members of HIQA’s Advisory Group: Helen Murphy, Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Manager, Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC); Rosarie Lynch, Head of Patient Safety Surveillance, National Patient Safety Office, Department of Health; Professor Martin Cormican, National HCAI and AMR Clinical Lead, Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Division, Health Service Executive (HSE); Linda Weir, Standards Manager, HIQA; Dr Karen Burns, Consultant Microbiologist, HPSC; Dr Nuala O’Connor, ICGP GP Lead Advisor Antibiotic Resistance, ICGP GP Lead HSE Clinical Programme HCAI-AMR; Rachel Flynn, Director of Health Information and Standards, HIQA; and Mary McKenna, Lead Infection Prevention and Control Assistant Director of Nursing, HCAI and AMR Clinical Programme, HSE.
Many thanks to the Advisory Group, made up of a diverse range of interested and informed parties, who helped HIQA to develop these standards.
Nursing home engagement sessions
The Older Persons Team would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended our stakeholder engagement sessions and provided such invaluable feedback.
Sessions took place in four venues around the country from September to November, and allowed HIQA to meet 800 registered providers, nursing home staff, residents and members of the public.
Patient Safety Monitoring: Healthcare Quality and Safety in Europe Conference
National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres
HIQA published National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres on 7 November 2018. The Standards describe what a safe and effective children’s residential centre should look like. We also developed a guide to accompany the standards, which is aimed at children living in residential centres and was informed by children with experience of care.
International review of the methodologies for developing national standards and guidance for health and social care services
HIQA has published an international review of how 13 organisations throughout the world develop standards and guidance. These organisations were spread across nine jurisdictions, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Europe.