During 2023, HIQA carried out 2,189 inspections of health and social services, such as nursing homes, residential centres for people with disabilities, children’s services, public hospitals and dentists, according to its Annual Report for the year.
In 2023, HIQA published 19 health technology assessments and evidence synthesis reports, providing advice to enable the best use of resources and the best outcomes for people who use health services.
Last year, 3,029 members of the public and health and social care professionals took part in the National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care, a joint initiative by HIQA, the Department of Health and the HSE. HIQA said the results woulf help identify what the public and professionals see as the purpose of digital health information and services, as well as the benefits and barriers to development of digital healthcare in Ireland.
During the year, HIQA’s online learning courses were completed 94,053 times. This included the completion of 15,823 infection prevention and control courses, 11,459 adult safeguarding courses, 54,479 human rights-based care courses and 12,292 advocacy courses.
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. Upon commencement of the Act, it will be a requirement for health services providers, including private hospitals, to notify HIQA of statutorily defined notifiable incidents set out in the Act. It also legislates for procedures in respect of clinical audit and expands HIQA’s Chief Inspector of Social Services’ remit to review certain incidents in nursing homes.
