31 March 2025: The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has welcomed changes to the regulations that will support nursing home residents and ensure better governance in nursing homes which take effect today, 31 March 2025.
These changes to the regulations have been introduced by the Department of Health following recommendations proposed by the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and extensive engagement with HIQA and other key stakeholders.
In recent weeks, HIQA has engaged with the providers of nursing homes through webinars and meetings to inform them of the changes.
The new regulations focus on a number of areas such as governance and management, residents’ rights, risk management, infection control and shorter timelines for nursing homes to notify HIQA of key events to improve the safety and welfare of residents.
Deputy Chief Inspector of Social Services, Susan Cliffe, said: “As people get older, they must be supported to live active and fulfilling lives where their human rights are protected and promoted and in settings that are local and promote their independence as far as possible. These updated powers for the Chief Inspector represent the most extensive update to the regulations since the commencement of regulating nursing homes in 2009. We welcome their introduction today and the enhanced protections they will provide for residents.
“COVID-19 placed an extraordinary burden on residents, their families and those working within nursing homes. The new regulations reflect learnings from the pandemic including the need to minimise risks through better measures to minimise the risk of infection and to balance this with residents’ rights to maintain contact with their family. Residents’ rights will be further enhanced by ensuring they are facilitated to communicate freely, have access to visitors and the Internet, and have a nominated close friend considered part of their family for support.
“Ultimately, better governance is our best way of managing future health risks and meet residents’ needs. HIQA recognises the demands for providers in meeting the needs of older people and these regulatory changes are being enacted to ensure that the appropriate skills and experience are in place in the management of nursing homes.”
HIQA’s Chief Inspector will now monitor and inspect nursing homes against the new regulations, and has committed to ensuring that all nursing homes are inspected at least once a year.
Guidance for nursing homes is available on www.hiqa.ie.
