Monitoring and Inspecting

Symptomatic Breast Disease Services Services monitoring

In 2008, the Authority commenced a National Quality Review of Symptomatic Breast Disease Services in Ireland to monitor compliance with the Standards. In February 2010, the Authority published eight individual reports of the Quality Review at each designated centres and one national report.

The Authority, under section 8 of the Health Act 2007, continues to have the remit to monitor compliance with national standards.

When we monitor health and social care services, we do our utmost speak to those who use the service and get their opinion on the quality of service being offered and how to improve it.

Nursing Home inspections

We are responsible for the registration and inspection of all public and private nursing homes and residential care services for older people. Inspectors focus on the experience of the resident living in the nursing home and what it is like to live there. An inspection report is produced after each inspection and available on our website, for all residents and their families to read.

Inspectors talk with managers, staff and interested people and also talk with residents (residents who do not wish to speak to inspectors do not have to) and their families. We distribute confidential questionnaires to get feedback.

We want to hear what each resident and his or her family has to say about the service. We have set up a Relatives Panel, which will 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 these homes.

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

Children’s centre inspections

Inspections take place in children’s centres to check that there are systems in place to safeguard the welfare of children and that the children are being cared for properly.

Inspectors talk to children living in residential centres about what it is like to live there, as well as staff, parents and social workers. An inspection report is produced after each inspection and available on our website, for all children and their families to read.