Revised standards to set out level of service in homes

The standards set out the minimum requirements for service providers to achieve, as well as the level of service that the residents in nursing home care and their families and carers can expect.

The move comes after publication of a report into Carrick nursing home Cherry Tree House, which was found to have “failed to comply” with several care standards.

Whitehead’s Chester Nursing Home also came under the spotlight in recent weeks after the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority indicated it was subject to enforcement action.

Referring to the new public consultation Mr Poots said: “These standards mean that some of our most vulnerable adults will be assured of the minimum level of care they can expect to receive. The standards were originally published in 2008 and it is timely that they have been reviewed to take into account developments in nursing home care in the meantime.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of life for residents and these standards will help achieve this. I am delighted that Age NI has worked with residents to inform the development of these standards and their priorities and needs have been reflected alongside the requirements of the legislation. This consultation is another important step on the road to improving the quality of all regulated services and I encourage anyone with an interest, especially residents and their families, to make their views known.”

The standards will be used by the RQIA as part of its programme for the registration and inspection of nursing homes to assess and report on the quality of care.

Draft standards and consultation questions at: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/current_consultations