Public consultation on amendment to scope of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare (2012)

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The National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare were approved by the Minster for Health in 2012 and contain 45 standards, which were developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and review of research evidence. The standards describe a vision for high-quality, safe healthcare and provide a roadmap for improving the quality, safety and reliability of healthcare. Since 2012, HIQA has used the standards to investigate, review and monitor healthcare services (excluding mental health) provided or funded by the HSE. 

The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023, expands HIQA’s standard-setting and monitoring functions to new services, such as private hospitals. This amendment to scope will facilitate monitoring by HIQA in private hospitals against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, on commencement of the Act. 

In preparation for the commencement of the Patient Safety Act, HIQA is holding a public consultation on amending the scope of National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare to include private hospitals.

HIQA is holding a public consultation from 1 March 2024 to 12 April 2024. The public consultation gives members of the public and service providers the opportunity to provide feedback on the amendment to the scope of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, by submitting their views to us.

HIQA will carefully assess all feedback received and use it, along with other available evidence, to inform the amendment to the scope of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. 

The fastest way to provide feedback is to complete the online questionnaire.

Your comments can also be submitted by downloading and completing the consultation feedback form below and then emailing your completed form to us at: standards@hiqa.ie

Alternatively, you can complete and post the form to us at:

Health Information and Quality Authority

Amendment to Scope of National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare

Dublin Regional Office

George’s Court, George’s Lane

Smithfield, Dublin 7

D07 E98Y 

The deadline for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Friday, 12 April 2024. 

At the end of this public consultation, your comments will be collated and will inform the amendment to the scope of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. 

The consultation feedback forms are available online or in pdf format below.

For further information or if you have any questions, you can email us at standards@hiqa.ie or call 01 814 7400 and ask for a member of the Standards Team to contact you.

National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare (2012)