New regulations for nursing homes welcomed by Nursing Homes Ireland

New regulations for nursing homes have been welcomed by representatives of the industry, but they have pointed out that consistent application of rules and sufficient funding are key to ensuring the sustainability of the sector.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the minister of state with responsibility for mental health and older people Mary Butler welcomed the updating of regulations, which were amended in response to recommendations of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report and reports from Hiqa.

The new regulations will ensure residents’ rights to visiting are protected, even during outbreaks, and that communication is facilitated with family members.

They also enhance the qualification criteria for persons-in-charge to include a requirement for a Level 8 management certificate, and enhance governance in nursing homes.

Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) chief executive and Cork native Tadhg Daly told The Echo what the sector “would always be anxious for is consistency in the application of regulations — having standards consistently applied across the sector”.

Under the new regulations, annual quality improvement plans will also now be required, as will training on how to implement infection prevention and control guidance, and the notification period of a range of incidents to Hiqa will be reduced from three working days to two working days.

Mr Donnelly said the amendments “will enhance and strengthen regulations in nursing homes” while Ms Butler said she hoped that “the enhanced provisions around visiting and communication will reinforce the voice and choice of residents in their homes”.

Mr Daly told The Echo that he and the NHI engaged with the department and made observations on the proposed changes while they were drafting them.

“We’ll be working with members to ensure they’re aware of them and to help implement whatever changes are required,” he said. 

“They’ve been given plenty of time to prepare from the implementation date," he said. 

“What we in the sector would always be anxious for is consistency in the application of regulations — having standards consistently applied across the sector.

In addition to regulations, he added: “The sector is facing fairly significant challenges at the moment with the cost of care.

“So we’d be engaging with the Government around election time to make sure they understand the importance of having a sustainable nursing homes sector, and asking all parties to make the care of older people an issue in their manifestos.”