Information for nursing home providers and social care professionals

From 1 July 2009, the Authority’s registration and inspection of designated centres is being implemented on a phased basis.

Services will only be allowed to operate if they are registered by the Authority’s Social Services Inspectorate and they will be inspected regularly to ensure they maintain a high level of care.

Learn about our methods of inspection, ensuring compliance and how we report on our findings. Read the guidance developed on the new regulatory process and understand requirements on providers to comply with the Health Act 2007.

Guidance

The Authority’s Social Services Inspectorate has produced a series of guides which provide all the information you need on the processes of registration and inspection of designated centres.

Are you ready for your inspection?

This guide outlines the inspection process and explains what those involved in the provision of services can expect before, during and after an inspection. Are you ready for your inspection guide.

Guidance for providers on compliance

This guide sets out how the Authority intends to use its enforcement powers under the Health Act 2007 to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of designated centres and to improve the quality of care provided in these centres. Guidance for providers on compliance.

Code of Conduct

The purpose of the code of conduct is to define how staff of the Authority conducting inspections, investigations or reviews will conduct themselves.

Fit-person Entry Programme

The Fit-person Entry Programme is a self assessment tool, designed as a means for you to self-assess your fitness to run a centre (as defined by the Health Act 2007). The purpose of the Fit-person Entry Programme is to assist you in considering the Standards as a guide on how to provide, review and continually improve good care. The Fit-person Entry Programme will help you assess the way you operate your centre, and identify gaps in your services or areas of learning.

Notifiable Events

Those in charge of a designated centre must ensure that the Authority is formally notified when certain events or incidents take place – these are known as ‘notifiable events’. This guidance document explains what each notifiable event is and what providers need to do when a notifiable event occurs. Our notifiable events page has more information and all notifiable event forms.

More information

Our frequently asked questions page for care providers has more information on the registration and inspection of nursing homes.

Department of Health National Policy on the promotion of a restraint free environment

The Department of Health has published a national policy on the promotion of a restraint free environment in designated centres for older people: Towards a Restraint Free Environment in Nursing Homes (leagan Gaeilge). This policy is intended to cover the use of restraint in designated centres for older people and aims to eliminate the use of restraint.