HIQA Standards



HIQA Standards

HIQA is a new independent Authority which has been set up to help advance continuous improvement in Ireland's health and social care services.

A key function of this new Authority is to set national standards for these services - with the exception of Mental Health Services, which fall under the remit of the Mental Health Commission.

Standards currently undergoing review and development work by HIQA include:

Standards for Infection Prevention and Control;

Hygiene Standards;

Symptomatic Breast Disease Standards;

Standards for Residential Care Settings for older people;

Independent assessment of needs for people with physical and intellectual disabilities;

Standards for Residential Care Settings for people with disabilities.

It is HIQA's intention to develop these standards, based on evidence and best practice within Ireland and internationally, in consultation with all key stakeholders. The standards will incorporate both minimum standards for quality and safety and developmental standards to support progression towards excellence. They will be complemented by guidelines and other supports to help service providers meet their requirements.

The NDA welcomes both the fact that HIQA has set as a priority, the development of standards of services for people with disabilities in residential care and the consultative approach it has adopted in this regard.

As the lead state agency on disability issues, NDA has been invited to provide advice and support in relation to those standards which build on or complement the work of the NDA - in particular:

The NDA's Draft National Standards for Disability Services; and

The NDA's Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies.

The NDA recognises the significance and challenges of HIQA's present standards development work. Within the scope of our statutory remit, we welcome opportunities to work with HIQA towards the finalisation and rollout of these valuable Standards.

Some hospitals have claimed that independent hygiene assessors were 'out to get' hospitals in the December 2008 national hygiene audit carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority

Background

A key policy aim of the National Health Strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You, published in November 2001, is to deliver high quality services that are based on evidence-supported best practice. The Strategy recommended that the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) should be established to advance this aim.

The Government decision regarding the Health Service Reform Programme announced in June 2003 approved the establishment of a Health Information & Quality Authority.

The National Health Information Strategy (NHIS) launched in July 2004 adopted a high level approach to health information requirements and the actions needed to deliver the necessary improvements. The establishment of the HIQA will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the NHIS with the Authority having lead responsibility on 20 of the 27 action areas set out in this strategy.

Role of the HIQA

The establishment of the HIQA represents an important step in the continued development of a high quality, safe and effective health care system which will provide a better service for patients.

The objective and functions of HIQA will be set out in primary legislation intended to ...