Volunteer panels

Relatives' Panel

The Health Information and Quality Authority wants to hear what you have to say. You have the right to be heard so why not volunteer for our Relatives Panel?

Relatives panels consist of groups of relatives of people (past and present) in nursing homes coming together to provide feedback to us on how we can work together to further improve the safety and quality of services provided in residential centres.

The panels provide an opportunity for relatives and friends of residents in residential care to meet formally with us to discuss issues with a view to driving improvements for all those in residential care settings for older people. The primary focus is looking at the bigger picture for the quality of life in designated centres.

If this is something you would be interested in, we would like to hear from you. Contact us on 021 240 9660 or write to us at: Health Information and Quality Authority, Social Services Inspectorate, 1301 City Gate, Mahon, Cork or email: relativespanel@hiqa.ie

Reach - Quarterly newsletter

Seminars for the Registered Providers and the Persons-In-Charge of Designated Centres for Older People

The Health Information and Quality recently hosted a number of seminars for the Registered Providers and the Persons-in-Charge of designated centres for older people. Three seminars were held during the month of October in Athlone, Cavan and Cork. These locations were chosen to represent the three regions in which designated centres operate (Central, North and South). HIQA staff presented at all three seminars with each seminar chaired by the Regional Operations Manager for the respective region - Vicky Blomfield (Central region), John Farrelly (North region) and Tony Christie (South region).

The seminars covered a range of topics which had been identified through consultation with the provider community as being of particular interest to them. Part of the consultation process involved engagement with Nursing Homes Ireland and the Health Service Executive. Sessions were held on the following:

Session 1:

  • Review of Quality and Safety of Care and Quality of Life in designated centres

Session 2:

  • Notifications - clarification on requirements
  • Action Plans – outline of monitoring of Action Plans
  • Registration renewal process – outline of what the registration renewal process will involve

Session 3:

  • Infection control – guidance produced by HIQA/HSE/NHI working group on Influenza OUTBREAK Prevention and Management

Session 4:

  • Question and answer session – general question and answer session (Panel format)