Our work regulating and monitoring the activity of nursing homes is ongoing, however it is also important that we take the opportunity to reflect on the developments and the work that took place during 2023.
By the end of 2023, we had completed 785 inspections and published 707 inspection reports. Thematic inspections with a focus on restrictive practices were introduced during the year, and we had also recommenced some announced inspections. We processed over 19,000 notifications that were focussed on monitoring and registration and over 1,000 issues and items of concern were received from the public, including from residents, relatives and staff.
Ten new designated centres were registered during the year, with a total of 777 beds. The total number of registered beds in nursing homes was, however, impacted by the closure of nursing homes. Twelve centres closed voluntarily during the year, and two centres were closed after their registration was cancelled. The registration of a third centre was also cancelled, and the HSE has taken over the operation of this centre.
The Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 were amended from March 2023, to strengthen the complaints policies in nursing homes and ensure residents are supported to access advocacy services.
In September and October 2023, we held events for registered providers and persons in charge which focused on governance and management in nursing homes. We would like to thank providers and persons in charge who gave feedback after these events, which will be used to inform our plans for 2024. In addition to these in-person events, we also hosted a number of webinars throughout the year to support those involved in the management of nursing homes.
Throughout 2023, we continued to engage with stakeholders and regular meetings were held to discuss issues of concern relevant to nursing homes. Stakeholders included the Department of Health, the Office of the Ombudsman, SAGE, the Patient Advocacy Service, the HSE, Nursing Homes Ireland and Céile Care.
In December 2023, we published our overview report on the regulation and monitoring of nursing homes for 2022. The report detailed our inspection programme during a time when nursing homes were beginning to return to pre-pandemic conditions. As these restrictions lifted, inspectors were able to see what life was like in these homes under more normal circumstances. Premises, fire safety, infection prevention and control arrangements were all flagged as areas for providers to work on.
Speaking on the publication of the overview report, Carol Grogan, Chief Inspector of Social Services within HIQA, said: “We continue to identify that where there are effective governance and management arrangements in place, nursing homes have higher levels of compliance with the regulations and better outcomes for the people who live in them. There is also room for improvement in a number of key areas that impact on residents’ safety such as infection control and fire precautions.”
You can read the full overview report on our website.