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Sunday 28 May 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# HIQA

Last month
April 2023
# HIQA
Chickenpox vaccine could be added to childhood immunisation schedule following consultation
It is estimated that there are currently over 55,000 cases of chickenpox every year in Ireland.
# INspections
Hiqa to begin inspections of Direct Provision centres this year after campaign by rights groups
Inspections are currently carried out by an independent company QTS Ltd.
This year
2023
# Complaints
Dossier of concerns about treatment of service users of Mayo charity sent to health watchdog
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said it has received ‘information of concern’ regarding Western Care.
A file compiled by Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh contains claims that staff have witnessed 'verbal and emotional abuse' of vulnerable service users.
The concerns focus on a section of Western Care called Individualised Services - which supports more than 50 service users in their own accommodation.
A report commissioned by the charity in 2020 found that the service was in 'significant crisis' with staff and management at risk of burnout.
# HIQA
HSE advised to screen newborns for rare, life threatening condition by HIQA
HIQA has found that screening for the condition could reduce mortality rates
Last year
2022
# HIQA inspections
HIQA: 'Not uncommon' for patients in EDs to wait 80 to 90 hours for an inpatient bed
Mayo University Hospital was so overcrowded that inspectors said patients were exposed to infection control risks.
# HIQA
Non-compliance found with ionising radiation policies at a number of hospitals
The watchdog’s latest inspection reports were published today.
# HIQA
‘Significant deterioration’ in compliance levels in disability centres
Information provided to Hiqa revealed there was a marked difference in overall levels of compliance.
# HIQA
Child in foster care not visited by social workers for more than three years
Seven cases were escalated to managers during an inspection.
# Delays
HIQA report finds "inconsistencies in many services" for children
Lengthy delays and a lack of resources were the main issues noted.
# Overcrowding
Patient care in University Hospital Limerick ED compromised due to overcrowding
A HIQA inspection has found that the health and welfare of people receiving care in the department was at risk.
# HIQA
Vaccination had 'significant impact' at decreasing Covid-19 cases in nursing homes
Vaccination was a major factor determining outbreaks, as well as whether a home had suffered an outbreak in the past.
# Covid-19
'Old age matters': TD calls for public inquiry into nursing home deaths during Covid
Many people who died in nursing homes were not properly looked after, TD Fergus O’Dowd told the Dáil.
All time
# omicron
Hiqa: Wave of Omicron infection will 'likely result in increased hospitalisations and deaths'
The health watchdog today published summaries of the evidence on the transmissibility and virulence of the variant and its capacity for immune escape.
# University Hospital Limerick
Nurses 'at their wits’ end': Call for investigation of overcrowding at Limerick hospital
There is a total of 428 people on trolleys across the country today, with 70 of them in University Hospital Limerick.
# Letterkenny
Further improvements needed in gynaecology services at Letterkenny hospital, Hiqa finds
Concerns about gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital were first raised in 2018.
# HIQA
Increase in number of patients accidentally exposed to ionising radiation in hospitals
The most common error reported to Hiqa in 2020 involved exposure to the wrong person.
# smoking hazard
Nursing home worker found smoking beside ‘large oxygen cylinders’ by inspector
An HIQA report at a Limerick nursing home said the incident showed the staff member was ‘not aware of the combustible nature of oxygen’.
# HIQA
Long-standing problems hindered hospitals' efforts to cope with Covid-19, HIQA report finds
The pandemic “further exposed” many of the long-standing issues within Ireland’s healthcare system.
# hcv
People born between 1965 and 1985 should be tested for Hepatitis C, Hiqa recommends
In Ireland, the prevalence of HCV infection is highest amongst those born during this period.
# Camphill Community Duffcarrig
HSE takes over Wexford disability centre as 'last resort' amid concerns for residents
“A strong and offensive odour of cat waste made it difficult for inspectors to stand in the bedroom area,” an inspection report noted.
# Advice
'Insufficient evidence' around use of Covid-19 interventions, other than vaccines, Hiqa says
Hiqa said that being generally healthy may reduce the risk of “poor outcomes from Covid-19″.
# Figures
Coronavirus: 465 new cases confirmed in Ireland
The Department of Health confirmed the latest figures this afternoon.
# Immunity
Hiqa advises NPHET to extend presumptive Covid immunity to nine months post-infection
Increasing the period of presumptive immunity from six to nine months would have “widespread positive implications for people”.
# Nursing Homes
Hiqa report reveals some main factors behind Covid-19 outbreaks in nursing homes
Community incidence rates near homes and the number of beds within homes were among the factors.
# Emergency Department
'Significant' demand for beds at Limerick Hospital from people who had Covid, but still need to recover
The hospital group responded to calls from the INMO for a Hiqa investigation into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick
# Covid-19
HIQA: Mandatory vaccination of health staff 'most intrusive' and other steps should be taken first
The finding was contained in a report by the health service watchdog.
# restrictions
This report to NPHET breaks down how lockdown in Ireland compares to other countries
Restrictions on hospitality, curfews and gatherings are among the key differences between countries.
# HIQA
Offaly disability centre failed to ensure residents were safe from 'all forms of abuse', HIQA report finds
The inspection was carried out at Millbrook House last November.
# Coronavirus
Covid immunity post-infection lasts six months, NPHET advised
The new guidance doubles the length of time of presumptive immunity after infection.
# Allegations
Nursing home complaints during Covid: Concerns over isolation and lack of social distancing
The allegations are contained in documents released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act.
# Coronavirus
No plan for vaccine certificates to be used to restrict what people can access or do
Hiqa’s advice to NPHET comes after the government outlined its national vaccination strategy yesterday.
# Clonakilty
Residents who tested positive for Covid-19 weren't isolated from others in community hospital, Hiqa says
Hiqa’s report on Clonakilty Community Hospital is one of 34 published today.
# high risk
'No evidence' to support removal of any groups from category at highest risk of severe Covid-19
A HIQA report has advised public health officials that the evidence for including over 70s in the highest risk category for Covid-19 is strong.
# Covid-19
Hiqa advises NPHET that Covid-19 reinfection is 'rarely documented but possible'
Studies cited by Ireland’s health watchdog indicate that antibodies that respond to Covid-19 last between 2-6 months.
# inspection
Six disability centres found non-compliant in protecting residents against infection
HIQA has raised concerns with unsatisfactory measures in place to prevent the spread of infections.
# Dealgan House
Report finds staffing and Covid training issues at Louth nursing home where over 20 patients died in April
A report from May – just a week after an outbreak at the nursing home – highlighted some areas of non-compliance at the centre.
# rapid testing
Rapid testing should be considered but it's not as accurate as the test we currently use, Hiqa says
The introduction of rapid testing could be effective in Ireland in future, but we need to see its “real-world performance” here first, Hiqa said.
# Swords
Outbreak of Covid-19 among residents and staff at Dublin nursing home
Residents and staff who tested positive are now isolating.
# level three
Health Minister contacts HSE to make clear that window visits in nursing homes are not suspended under Level 3
Concerns had been raised that nursing homes in Dublin were suspending window visits.
# Coronavirus
Bereaved families want answers about their loved ones' final days in nursing homes, committee is told
An expert warned that the huge issue will have implications for the grieving process.