Every nursing home has to re-register with HIQA every three years, and this significantly affects how we use our resources. For example, more than 170 out of 363 inspections in 2017 to date related to re-registration applications.
We have carried out more than 20 inspections this year to date in order to help us decide on applications to register four new centres and decide on applications from 20 centres to change or remove their registration conditions.
A further 74 themed inspections looking at dementia care have been conducted this year to date. These themed inspections give us the opportunity to focus on quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving the living environment for this vulnerable group of people.
Other inspection activity focused on monitoring compliance with regulations and National Standards. We continue to see a high level of regulatory compliance during our nursing home inspections and to receive help and cooperation from residents, families and staff.