Welcome to the latest issue of HIQA News.
In recent days, HIQA has published its independent advice to the Minister for Health on extending the HPV vaccine to boys.
This important health technology assessment (HTA) was informed by intensive engagement with an expert advisory group and a six-week public consultation which received 242 submissions. The subsequent decision made by the Minister for Health, following a review of the evidence, is expected to result in a significant reduction in HPV-associated cancers in Ireland and is considered an efficient use of resources.
We also launched the results of the second National Patient Experience Survey at the end of last month. The survey — a partnership between HIQA, the HSE and the Department of Health — heard from over 13,400 patients about their experience in Ireland’s hospitals, and provided us with many suggestions to improve patient experience.
Notably, both these pieces of work asked the public what was important to them and, as a result, will have a far-reaching impact on the quality and safety of services into the future. We particularly welcome the HSE’s response to the National Patient Experience Survey in their Listening, Responding and Improving quality improvement plan, which outlines a range of initiatives to address many of the challenges identified by patients who took time to participate in the survey.
HIQA is committed to engaging with and collecting the views of people who use services, and this will continue to be a core strategic objective in our draft Corporate Plan 2019–2021. The plan, approved by our Board earlier this month, places a significant emphasis on new and innovative ways to engage with service users and the public.
For example, our Disability Team continues to meet with people who live in residential centres and advocacy groups to hear about what is important to them in order to make improvements to our inspection processes.
Over the past three months, our Older Persons Team has also met with over 800 nursing home providers, persons in charge and residents and their relatives to hear their views.
In October, HIQA completed the registration of the final centre for people with disabilities. This work, conducted by our team working under the Chief Inspector of Social Services over the last five years, was challenging at times with inspectors having to respond to difficult and at times disturbing findings. I believe that our interventions over this period have ensured substantial improvements in the lives of residents. e will continue to work with providers to sustain the progress made thus far, and to drive further improvements for our many citizens living in designated centres.
Our teams have also been working to ensure that health and social care service providers and staff are supported to understand and implement our work by developing guides and digital learning modules, presenting at conferences and sharing learning with international colleagues. I thank you for your time and assistance in providing us with your views.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Phelim Quinn, CEO