Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has launched a public consultation on amending the scope of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare (2012) to include private hospitals.

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023, which is expected to commence this year, expands HIQA’s standard-setting and monitoring functions to private hospitals. HIQA is engaging with new and existing health services providers to prepare for the new requirements under the Act.

The National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare contain 45 standards. The current scope of these standards include all healthcare services (excluding mental health) provided or funded by the HSE. The standards were developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and review of research evidence. They have been used by HIQA since 2012 to inspect, monitor and investigate healthcare services.

In preparation for the commencement of the Patient Safety Act, HIQA has launched a public consultation on amending the scope of the standards to include private hospitals. This will facilitate monitoring in private hospitals against the national standards by HIQA, on commencement of the Patient Safety Act.

Rachel Flynn, HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards said: “The National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare support the enablement of person- centred, safe and effective healthcare services. The standards equip service providers with a structure for achieving high-quality care and support for patients”

The Patient Safety Act 2023 is an important piece of legislation that expands HIQA’s remit significantly. Ms Flynn continued: “This update will be a welcome development for many patients who avail of services in private hospitals, as it will ensure consistency across both public and private hospitals.”

Once finalised, the standards will be used by HIQA for inspecting and monitoring all healthcare services under its remit, including private hospitals.

HIQA is inviting the feedback of members of the public and health services providers on amending the scope of the standards to include private hospitals and welcomes their views. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 12 April 2024.

The consultation documents can be found on www.hiqa.ie.

Ends.

Further information:

Marty Whelan

Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement 085 805 5202

mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor:

• HIQA has the statutory function to set standards in relation to the quality and safety of health and social care services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), or service providers engaged by the HSE or Tusla on their behalf.
• The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 will expand HIQA’s remit significantly. Once commenced, it will amend the Health Act 2007 to provide the legislative basis for setting standards to include private hospitals.
• This public consultation is part of a larger project of preparation for HIQA’s extended remit under the Patient Safety Act.
• Upon commencement of the Patient Safety Act, it will also be a requirement for health services providers, including private hospitals, to notify HIQA of statutorily defined notifiable incidents set out in the Act.
• The Patient Safety Act legislates for procedures in respect of clinical audit and expands the Chief Inspector’s remit to review certain incidents in nursing homes.
• HIQA is engaging with new and existing service providers in preparation for its new functions under the Act, and to prepare them for their new responsibilities.