HIQA’s 2023 Annual Report, published in June, highlights the work undertaken to prepare for a significant expansion of the organisation’s remit into areas including International Protection Accommodation Services, and others connected to the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 and the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill (2018).
Launching the annual report earlier this month, HIQA’s Chairperson, Dr Pat O’Mahony spoke about the work of the organisation and the growth in functions, saying: “2023 was a year in which we continued our work to regulate and monitor services, conduct health technology assessments and evidence synthesis, and further Ireland’s health information landscape, while also preparing to take on a number of new functions. Extensive work was completed during the year in collaboration with the Department of Health to prepare for a significant expansion of our functions and responsibilities into private hospital services and hospital-based mortuary services, as well as a requirement for services to report notifiable incidents to HIQA.
“Furthermore, we worked with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to prepare for new powers to monitor International Protection Accommodation Service centres which came into effect in January 2024.”
(Above: HIQA’s Chairperson, Dr Pat O’Mahony addressing HIQA staff.)
The report details the organisation’s work to regulate and monitor services, develop national standards and guidance, provide evidence synthesis and health technology assessments to support key policy decision-making, and to further develop health information in Ireland.
During 2023, HIQA carried out 2,189 inspections of health and social services, such as nursing homes, residential centres for people with disabilities, children’s services, public hospitals and dentists. 19 health technology assessments and evidence synthesis reports were published; 3,029 members of the public and health and social care professionals took part in the National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care, a joint initiative by HIQA, the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive and our online learning courses were completed 94,053 times.
Our CEO, Angela Fitzgerald, said: “Reflecting on the past year, I am proud of the work we have progressed as we support and enable improvements in the delivery of safe, high-quality and effective care in Ireland’s health and social care services. One of our core values is collaboration and, as a regulator, this includes working with policy-makers, providers, those who use services, advocacy groups and the wider public.
“It is only through continuous and meaningful engagements with these key stakeholders that we can move beyond regulatory compliance and together bring about sustainable improvements in health and social care services. Listening and responding to people using services is integral to our work in HIQA, as well as to the wider health service as it provides us with the information and evidence to support the delivery of safer, quality services for all.
“I would like to thank all of our many stakeholders for working with us throughout the year, as well as HIQA staff, and the Executive Management Team and Board members for your diligence and dedication in 2023 and for your continued dedication. I look forward to HIQA’s future as we continue to deliver excellence and ensure quality care in Ireland’s health and social care sector.”
Read the full report at www.hiqa.ie.
(Pictured at the beginning of this article: (Above: HIQA’s Chairperson, Dr Pat O’Mahony and HIQA CEO, Angela Fitzgerald at the launch of our 2023 Annual Report)