Review Highlights Need for Nursing Home Regulatory Reform in Ireland
Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
Context piece
- A review of Ireland's nursing home regulatory processes found a need for reform, particularly regarding accountability for parent companies.
- The report calls for greater resident involvement in care decisions and ensuring their rights are upheld.
- It highlights challenges posed by the shift from local providers to large corporate entities, necessitating an evolving regulatory framework.
An independent review assessing the Health Information and Quality Authority's (HIQA) nursing home inspection processes has identified significant areas needing regulatory reform. Commissioned by the Minister for Health and the Minister of State for Older People, the review followed an RTÉ Investigates program concerning two nursing homes owned by Emeis Ireland.
The review, conducted by Forvis Mazars, aimed to independently assess regulation, pinpoint improvements, and determine if the regulatory framework requires strengthening to adapt to the current operating environment. The final report emphasizes holding parent companies or nursing home groups accountable through the regulator's chief inspector. It also advocates for increased resident involvement in care decisions, ensuring their independence, and guaranteeing that care upholds residents' rights.
The report recommends revising the nursing home regulatory framework to align with current policies, enhance provider oversight, and adapt to the changing landscape, with a stronger focus on resident outcomes and rights. It acknowledges progress in nursing home regulation over the past 17 years, shifting from basic safety requirements to a more comprehensive, rights-based approach prioritizing safeguarding, dignity, and well-being.
In order to effectively respond to the demands of an ageing population, the regulatory framework must continue to evolve, ensuring robust assessment of the fitness of all parties both at local operational levels and within broader corporate governance and financial structures.
However, the report notes that the transition in ownership models, from community-based providers to large corporate entities, has introduced complex regulatory challenges. "In order to effectively respond to the demands of an ageing population, the regulatory framework must continue to evolve, ensuring robust assessment of the fitness of all parties both at local operational levels and within broader corporate governance and financial structures," the report states. It stresses that these efforts are vital for ensuring older people receive care that is safe, appropriate, person-centered, and responsive to their individual needs.
The review pointed out that while HIQA's Chief Inspector's remit covers the registered provider (the legal entity operating the home), it does not extend to the corporate group or ultimate owner. This legal separation "creates potential gaps in responsibility, accountability and financial transparency." Consequently, staffing, budgets, and closures are decided at the group level, but regulatory accountability rests with the registered provider. In cases of insolvency or non-compliance, the Chief Inspector cannot hold anyone other than the registered entity accountable, even when strategic and financial decisions are demonstrably made elsewhere.
The legal separation creates potential gaps in responsibility, accountability and financial transparency.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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