The Lexicon for Social Care is an initiative by HIQA’s Chief Inspector of Social Service. The Lexicon provides a list of commonly-used words relevant to social care, along with a definition. The use of standardised language is important for clarity and consistency and all providers of social care are encouraged to use the Lexicon in their communications with HIQA. Below are links to useful documents as well as a search function for the Lexicon.

If you wish to comment or leave feedback on the Lexicon for Social Care then please click here or simply email socialcarelexicon@hiqa.ie

  • Lexicon for Social Care (PDF)

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  • Guidance for providers on submitting notifications

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  • Infographic about the Lexicon

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  • Academic slides on Lexicon for Social Care

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Lexicon catalogue

Displaying 241 - 252 of 412 results.
Term Description

Normalisation

Making available to all people with disabilities patterns of life and conditions of everyday living which are as close as possible to the regular circumstances and ways of life or society.

Notifiable disease

Diseases that health and social care services are required to inform to a designated authority when present in their service (country specific).

Notify

To tell someone officially about something.

Nurse on duty

A nurse nominated to oversee clinical care, attend to complex health care and co-ordinate staff.

Nursing care

Nursing procedures or activities, other than personal care, that a registered nurse performs directly on, to or with a person.

Nutritional intake

The calories and nutrients a person consumes by any route over a given period of time.

Obvious sign of injury

Where it is clear from a brief observation that a person has sustained an injury.

Alternative term(s) not to be used : Visible injury

Occupational therapist (OT)

A specialist in rehabilitation who seeks to maintain or improve someone’s level of physical and/or psychological functioning.

Optician

A qualified professional whose job is examining people's eyes and prescribing glasses or contact lenses to correct sight problems.

Organisation

A structured group of people who work together for a shared purpose.

Outbreak (disease)

The spread of a communicable disease among a defined number of people.

Pain relief

The alleviation of pain, typically by means of medication.