A new independent inspectorate of health services including nursing homes will be operational by the middle of next year, Minister for Health Mary Harney said today.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) would be the "patients' champion", ensuring standards are enforced in the public and private sector, Ms Harney said.
The authority will operate independently of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and will be established on a statutory basis.
With the controversy over low standards in private nursing homes still a live issue, Ms Harney said she hoped HIQA inspections of these facilities would begin next summer.
The Social Services Inspectorate, which will become a division of HIQA, will carry out the inspections and Ms Harney said every public and private facility in the State should be inspected within three years.
The Dáil is to be recalled early from its Christmas recess on January 23rd to debate the Health Bill (2006), which creates the HIQA as an independent statutory body. Ms Harney hopes the Bill will be passed by mid- to late March.
Ms Harney said the HIQA was a "first for the healthcare system [and] a major plank of the health reform agenda".
Few countries around the world had such a powerful health inspectorate, Ms Harney said adding that the scale of its remit was considerable.
"My intention is to ensure that the standards set are applied consistently and on a national basis and that, where necessary, action can be taken quickly and effectively to protect service users," Ms Harney said.
"The Health Information and Quality Authority will be the champion of the patient, it will be the watchdog on behalf of the public [and] inspire greater public confidence in the health services."
The HIQA will also be responsible for assessing whether services are providing value for money.
Central to this is its role in compiling accurate and relevant data to improve decision making. It will also incorporate a division to assess health technology including drugs from an economic perspective.
In relation to nursing homes and other residential centres for the likes of children or those with disabilities, the HIQA will be empowered to make unannounced inspections and examine facilities, practices and provisions; interview staff; and review documentation.
Inspectors will have the power to take control of and close down facilities, if necessary.
They will also be able to apply to the courts to have those responsible for failing to uphold standards jailed for 12 months and fined up to €5,000 on summary conviction.
Conviction on indictment could lead to a maximum fine of €70,000 and two years' imprisonment.
Recruitment and training has begun for a division due to be at least 100-strong, with some inspectors transferred from the HSE.
Inspections of public hospitals is also provided for, but the HIQA will not have powers to take action if it finds deficiencies.
HIQA chief executive Dr Tracy Cooper said the authority could make recommendations and work in co-operation with public hospitals to address weaknesses.
The minister also said she intended to introduce an amendment to address the absence of a licensing regime for private hospitals.
The public will also be able to refer complaints to the HIQA, and an amendment will be added the Health Bill to provide the legal basis for protecting whistleblowers.
SUMMARY OF HIQA FUNCTIONS
- Advising the Minister and the HSE
- Setting and monitoring standards in health and personal social services
- Carrying out value-for-money reviews
- Assessing health technologies, including drugs
- Collating and providing data
- Overseeing the functions of Chief Inspector of Social Services, which includes the registration of residential facilities and foster schemes