Nursing home owners need HIQA guidance, says study
Nursing home owners need more guidance from the health watchdog HIQA, according to new research published today.
A report by the National Economic and Social Council has found that while standards in residential care for older people have improved, providers need more direction from HIQA.
It says advice on how to improve standards would be welcomed by average nursing homes that are trying to improve the level of care they provide.
"Owners and managers have a greater responsibility under the new system than previously," explained Dr Anne-Marie McGauran, the author of the report. "And another change which many people welcome is the strong focus on the nursing home resident, as their agreement is now required on the care they receive."
The report recommends setting up a problem solving group of nursing homes, the Department of Health, and HIQA to address the challenge of providing sufficient quality care for older people in the current economic context.
