The purpose of a thematic programme is to improve quality improvement for older people living in residential services. A thematic programme assesses compliance against the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (2016). Registered providers are expected to use any learning from thematic inspection reports to continually improve services for people living in these centres. The following documents are developed as part of a thematic programme:
- guidance document — to assist registered providers of designated centres for older people and staff working to focus on quality improvement
- assessment-judgment framework — designed for use in the thematic inspections
- self-assessment questionnaire — to aid service providers to prepare for the Chief Inspector’s thematic programme
- quality improvement plan — to be used in conjunction with the self-assessment questionnaire.