Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 17 inspection reports on residential settings for older people. HIQA monitors designated centres for compliance with Health Act Regulations and the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

All of today’s reports relate to unannounced dementia care thematic inspections. These inspections focus on the quality of life of people with dementia and monitor the level of compliance with the regulations and standards in relation to residents with dementia.

As part of the thematic inspection process, providers were invited to attend information seminars given by HIQA in 2015. Evidence-based guidance was developed to guide the providers on best practice in dementia care and the inspection process.

Four of the centres inspected in reports published today were found to have one or more major non-compliances. Safe and Suitable Premises and Health and Social Care Needs were common areas of non-compliance overall.