INHO slams Govt ban on nursing homes' admissions
The Irish Nursing Homes Organisation has criticised the manner in which the HSE has this week handled the cases of the five nursing homes to which new admissions have been suspended.
Ina statement released today the INHO says the move demonstrates precisely what is wrong with the current system.
"The current legislation is arbitrary and subjective. There are no statutory minimum standards and the inspection process appears to be ad hoc and vague," read the statement.
"The INHO wants to work in partnership with the HSE to ensure that every nursing home resident in the country is receiving the care they are entitled to. A fair and objective inspection process that takes action against homes that do not meet clearly defined standards is a central part of that.
"We question the reason why the operators of the nursing homes have not yet seen the inspection reports when it appears as if the media has. Is the HSE bowing to media and public pressure to be seen to be tough on nursing homes?
"The INHO will not defend nursing homes that do not operate to the highest standards. We expect the HSE to be tough on nursing homes that fail to operate to the highest standards but it is only fair that proper procedures are followed.
"As part of its discussions with the Nursing Homes Consultative Committee the HSE agreed that nursing home operators would be give ten days to respond to their report. Today, not only have the operators not been given the chance to respond they have not yet seen the report.
"It has also been reported that the HSE have said that they are satisfied with the level of care being provided to residents. We are at an absolute loss to understand the reasons for the HSE’s decision to suspend admissions to these nursing homes because they have failed to explain their actions."
The INHO has today sought a meeting with Prof Brendan Drumm to clarify the procedures around the releasing of details of inspection reports to the public.
