On foot of the RTÉ Investigates programme, HIQA is conscious that this makes very distressing viewing for all nursing home residents, and their families and friends.

Through its inspections of these services, HIQA identified a number of significant concerns and as part of its escalatory action had stopped admissions to one of the centres. Further inspection reports on both of these centres are currently being finalised and will be published shortly. However, we are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes. Our function as a regulator is to ensure that providers are protecting those who use services and ensuring residents are receiving safe, quality care and support. Accordingly, we will be taking the necessary actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents.

Our recently published report on our findings from 15 Years of Regulating Nursing Homes highlights how the vast majority of nursing homes are now providing good quality care. It also shows that a small number of nursing homes struggle to maintain compliance with the regulations. Where there is persistent non-compliance with the regulations or where there is risk to residents’ safety, HIQA’s Chief Inspector takes the necessary enforcement steps which may include attaching restrictive conditions to a centre’s registration, such as stopping new admissions to the centre until improvements are made, or in some cases cancelling the registration of a designated centre. In taking such action, we are conscious that nursing homes are people’s homes. The Chief Inspector is mindful that cancelling the registration of a centre can cause significant upset and distress to residents and their families. However, where this is deemed necessary, the Chief Inspector may cancel the registration of the centre. In 2024, we refused to renew registration or cancelled the registration of 10 nursing homes.

In 2024, inspectors conducted 840 inspections of nursing homes, with 84% being unannounced. Inspections are a core component of the regulation of nursing homes and aim to improve the lived experiences of residents, and allow us to meet with residents on inspection and hear directly from them. Regulation is also informed by other sources of information. Inspectors review all information received about a service from the public, staff working in centres and relatives, and use it to inform the ongoing monitoring of and regulatory activity in that service. As a regulator, HIQA takes a risk-based approach to regulation. Most nursing homes can expect one or two inspections a year, but we carry out more inspections in those centres where there are concerns about the care and welfare of residents or where there is repeated non-compliance with the regulations. In 2024, 36 nursing homes received three or more inspections in response to persistent non-compliance. The nursing homes featured in this programme were subject to a number of additional inspections in an effort to bring them into compliance.

HIQA will continue its programme of work in nursing homes and encourages residents and their family and friends to engage with us directly about their experiences so that we can support the delivery of safe and effective care and support. HIQA will continue to engage with all nursing home providers, the Department of Health and representative bodies to drive improvements in the sector.