Older people

Improving the quality of care for older people in residential settings across Ireland

We have published National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland, including nursing homes, to improve the quality of life of residents and to promote best practice in these settings.

National Quality Standards

The national quality standards clearly outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a resident, their family, a carer, or the public can expect to receive in residential care settings.

They deal with the areas of rights of older people, protection, health and social care needs, quality of life, staffing, the care environment, and management and governance. In addition, the standards include supplementary criteria that apply to units that specialise in the care of people with dementia.

How were the Standards developed?

The quality standards were developed based on legislation, research findings and best practice. They were developed in partnership with service users, service providers, healthcare professionals, older people’s representative groups, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. These standards were published following an extensive consultation process with key stakeholders and the wider public.

How are the Standards used?

Inspectors from the Authority inspect against our standards when they visit to check that an appropriate standard of care is in place in residential care settings. Residents and their relatives and friends can also use them to see what should and should not be happening in places where older people are being looked after.

Further information

Please see frequently asked questions for further information. To find out more about inspections, see our section how the inspection process works. If you are a service provider please see our providers section.

Download the standards in multiple formats: