In relation to the comments made this morning by Peter Tyndall, the Ombudsman, HIQA wishes to point out that there is no Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of the Ombudsman and HIQA. An early draft MOU document is with the Ombudsman since 21 October awaiting his reply.

That draft document does not set out any requirement for HIQA to share or pass on complaints it receives with the Office of the Ombudsman. HIQA has had discussions with the Ombudsman about sharing information on trends or patterns in relation to the information it receives but not specific complaints.

HIQA can confirm that all information received is acted on immediately. This includes complaints as well as other information.

When HIQA receives primary complaints the procedure for dealing with those complaints is that they are passed to the relevant service provider to investigate through its own complaints procedure. It is on the basis of non-resolution of that complaint that it would be referred to the Ombudsman by the provider.

It is not correct that there are 400 unanswered complaints. Recent comments have confused information we receive with complaints. In 2013 HIQA received 355 pieces of information in relation to nursing homes; this included unverified information as well as complaints. All of these were assessed carefully and all relevant information was acted on.

Further Information: 

Please contact: Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, HIQA, 01 8147480 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie