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