Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 16 inspection reports on residential centres for older people. HIQA independently monitors designated centres for older people for compliance with the Health Act (2007) Regulations and the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (2016), to ensure that older people living in nursing homes are safe and well looked after.

Of the 16 reports published today, eight are inspections carried out against 10 outcomes, two are full inspections of all 18 outcomes, five are follow-up inspections and one is an inspection of a single specific issue.

Evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards was found in nine centres. These inspections found that residents’ needs were being met and care was delivered in line with the National Standards and regulations.

However, inspectors found evidence of non-compliance in seven centres. Residents’ needs were not always met in line with the regulations and standards in these centres. Inspectors identified non-compliances in areas such as governance and management; health and safety and risk management; documentation; notifications to HIQA; suitable staffing; safeguarding; and residents' rights, dignity and consultation.