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Latest News
RQIA publishes second phase of Independent Review of Reporting Arrangements for Radiological Investigations (Updated 2 May 2012)
RQIA published the second phase of its Independent Review of Reporting Arrangements for Radiological Investigations. The review was commissioned by the DHSSPS in February 2011 following delays in the reporting of plain x-rays at Altnagelvin and Craigavon hospitals. RQIA’s review team included expert advisors from across the UK, including Dr Nicola Strickland, Registrar of the Royal College of Radiologists.This phase of the review examined the circumstances leading to delays in handling and reporting of radiological investigations in the Southern and Western Trusts and how these delays were managed. RQIA’s review team also met with a number of families who described the impact of these delays on their families.
The review makes 14 recommendations for improvement, in addition to the 12 recommendations made during phase 1 of the review, which have all been accepted by the Health Minister.
To view the phase 2 report click here.
RQIA publishes Interim Report of Pseudomonas Independent Review Team (Updated 4 April 2012)
RQIA published the interim report on the review of the circumstances contributing to the occurences of pseudomonas infection and colonisation within neonatal units in Northern Ireland.RQIA's interim report highlights learning for all organisations involved and makes 15 recommendations for action to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
During the second stage of this review we will examine governance arrangements and the effectiveness of communications in relation to the pseudomonas incidents.
RQIA's independent review team will continue to engage with families affected, and we would welcome any who have not yet shared their experience with the review team to contact RQIA at any time.
RQIA will provide a final report of its findings to the Health Minister at the end of May 2012, making recommendations for appropriate actions to minimise the risk of such incidents happening again.
To view the interim report click here.
Review of the Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool Stage One Published (Updated 14 March 2012)
RQIA has published a review which sets out the position of trusts in terms of planning, access, referral, and care management assessment processes in place for older people prior to the implementation of Northern Ireland Single assessment Tool (NISAT).You can access this and all other RQIA review reports here.
Roe House, Maghaberry Prison Unannounced Infection Prevention and Hygiene Inspections Published (Updated 08 March 2012)
In August 2011, RQIA, along with Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI) conducted unannounced inspections at Roe House, Maghaberry Prison to follow up on a previous inspection in July 2010. These inspections examined environmental cleanliness and infection prevention and control to determine how the Northern Ireland Prison Service was managing this issue during the ongoing protest. A number of recommendations were made to improve hygiene and reduce the risk of infection. Whilst improvements had been noted in the management of cleaning processes and cleanliness of the environment, continuous attention is required to minimise potential risks of the spread of infection to prisoners and prison staff. Reports from inspections are available here.RQIA and CJI are designated National Preventive Mechanisms under the provisions of the Optional Protocol for the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). The second annual report of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanisms can be accessed here.
Human Rights in Nursing Homes (Updated 05 March 2012)
RQIA notes “In Defence of Dignity: The Human Rights of Older People in Nursing Homes”, published by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.Privacy, dignity, and respect are important values underpinning the minimum standards for Nursing Homes. Older people are citizens with human rights, and these standards require that patients’ individual and human rights are safeguarded and actively promoted within the context of services delivered by the home.
There are currently 265 nursing homes in Northern Ireland providing some 11,600 places. RQIA conducts a minimum of two inspections in every nursing home each year. These inspections may be announced or unannounced. Where RQIA has any concerns about the quality of any aspect of care, additional inspections and appropriate enforcement action may also take place. You can access all RQIA’s inspection reports of individual care services here.
People using health and social care services, particularly older people, are some of the most vulnerable in our community, and it is essential therefore that their human rights are protected and promoted. RQIA, as a public body and an independent regulator, has an important responsibility in promoting the human rights of all service users.
Instances of poor care are unacceptable in any circumstances. RQIA would encourage any nursing home resident or relative to raise any concern – no matter how small – in the first instance with the care home management or their health and social care trust care manager. Similarly, care home staff with concerns should raise any concerns through whistleblowing arrangements.
It is also vital that those commissioning and providing services promote the highest possible standards of care with dignity and protection at the heart of care.
RQIA announces Pseudomonas Review Terms of Reference and Independent Review Team Membership (Updated 20 February 2012)
Membership of the independent review team, chaired by Professor Pat Troop, CBE, former Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, has now been confirmed. The team includes specialists with expertise in neonatal care, microbiology and medical engineering. In addition, a number of lay reviewers from charities, which offer support to families when a baby dies or for those premature or sick babies, will join the team. The review team members are:
- Professor Pat Troop, CBE, Review Chair, Cambridgeshire
- Dr Ian Laing, Consultant Neonatologist, Scotland
- Graham Marsh, former NHS Director of Property and Medical Engineering, England
- Dr Michael Kelsey, Consultant Microbiologist, London
- Mae Nugent, Practice Development Nurse - Neonatology, London
- Dr Tyrone Pitt, retired Deputy Director of the Laboratory of Health Care Associated Infections, Health Protection Agency, England
- Dr David Stewart, RQIA Director of Reviews and Medical Director, Northern Ireland
- Lay reviewers from the charity, Sands, which can offer support when a baby dies during pregnancy or after birth; and from the special care baby charity, Bliss, which provides vital support and care to premature and sick babies
Professor Troop said: “On behalf of the independent review team I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to all those affected. We will investigate fully the circumstances contributing to the infection, and examine the effectiveness of the management and response of the health and social care organisations involved. We are extending an invitation to meet the families of the babies who died, and others affected by these incidents, as it is of utmost importance that we learn from their experiences.”
The review team will provide an interim report of its findings to the Health Minister at the end of March, and will produce its final report by the end of May 2012. This report will recommend appropriate actions to minimise the risk of such incidents happening again.
To view the full press release, please click here.
RQIA publishes the report of its Review of the Implementation of the Protocol for the Joint Investigation of Alleged or Suspected Cases of Abuse of Vulnerable Adults (Updated 22 February 2012)
RQIA has published the report of its Review of the Implementation of the Protocol for the Joint Investigation of Alleged or Suspected Cases of Abuse of Vulnerable Adults, conducted in partnership with the Criminal Justice Inspection.The review team noted that effective working relationships have been established at operational and strategic level within the partner organisations, particularly between trusts and the PSNI. The establishment of a Local Adult Safeguarding Partnership in each trust has fundamentally changed the governance of adult protection services. In addition, the work streams under the NI Adult Safeguarding Partnership have brought a clearer focus on the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults. The review makes a range of recommendations for those organisations involved, reinforcing the need to adhere to the guidance within the protocol in relation to governance, training and record keeping.
You can access the review reports here.
RQIA Independent Review of Incidents of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection and Colonisation in Neonatal Augmented Care Settings in Northern Ireland (Updated 31 January 2012)
On 30 January 2012 Edwin Poots, Minister for Health Social Services and Public Safety asked RQIA, using its statutory powers under The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement, Regulation)(NI) Order 2003, to undertake an independent review of the circumstances contributing to the occurrences of pseudomonas infection and colonisation within neonatal units in Northern Ireland. The review team will be chaired by Professor Patricia Troop, CBE, former Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, and we are identifying a number of other independent experts in relevant disciplines to join the review team. The review will enquire into and investigate all of the circumstances contributing to the infection; the effectiveness of the trusts’ management and response; and will identify any actions required to minimise the risk of such incidents happening again. RQIA’s independent review team will also examine the actions and responses of the DHSSPS, Public Health Agency, HSC Board and trusts in relation to these incidents. Significantly, the review will include an invitation to the families of the babies who died, and others affected by these incidents, to meet with the review team to share their experiences. Once confirmed, the terms of reference and review team membership will be published here.RQIA will provide an interim report of its findings to the Health Minister by the end of March 2012, and will produce its final report no later than the end of May 2012.
You can access the Minister’s statement to the NI Assembly on 31 January 2012 on the Department's website here.New RQIA Board Appointments (Updated 20 December 2011)
Health Minister, Edwin Poots has announced the appointment of three Non-Executive Members to the RQIA Board. They are Mrs Sarah Havlin (Legal Member); Mr Denis Power (Financial Member); and Ms Lindsey Smith (Lay Member).To view the full DHSSPS press release, please click here.
RQIA publishes the report of its Review of Sensory Support Services In Northern Ireland (Updated 20 December 2011)
RQIA has just published the report of its Review of Sensory Support Services In Northern Ireland. The review examined the impact and effectiveness of the Quality Standards for Social Work and Rehabilitation in Sensory Support Services (2007).The review found that while significant progress had been made in addressing the rights and needs of those with sensory support requirements in Northern Ireland in recent years, that further work is required, particularly in information provision, and strategy, policy and staff training for sensory support services. The review also highlights the need to involve service users in the development of services.
You can access the review reports here.
Large print versions of these reports are also available at the above location. Audio and signed versions of the overview report are also available on request by emailing info@rqia.org.uk.
RQIA Publishes Infection Prevention and Hygiene Inspection Reports (Updated 13 December 2011)
RQIA has published a series of reports of inspection conducted during 2011, highlighting the findings of its programme of infection prevention and hygiene inspections at acute, community, independent and mental health and learning disability hospitals across Northern Ireland.This year’s inspections were conducted against new Regional Healthcare Hygiene and Cleanliness Standards. These examine both front-line practice at ward level, and the policies and procedures to support the effective delivery of good infection control and hygiene practice.
You can access RQIA’s Infection Prevention and Hygiene Inspection reports here.
RQIA Publishes Review of Readiness for Revalidation in Primary Care in Northern Ireland (Updated 15 December 2011)
In 2009, the General Medical Council (GMC) introduced new arrangements to implement a programme of revalidation for all doctors, to take effect from late 2012. As part of its three-year review programme, RQIA examined the arrangements in Northern Ireland to support revalidation of general medical practitioners in primary care settings.RQIA’s review team concluded that the Health and Social Care Board and NI Medical and Dental Training Agency have strong leadership in place, with staff committed to ensuring that revalidation for primary care doctors is successfully introduced in Northern Ireland.
You can access RQIA’s review report here.
RQIA Publishes Prison Healthcare Inspection Report
In March 2011, RQIA, in partnership with Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI), HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the Education and Training Inspectorate, conducted an unannounced inspection at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders’ Centre (YOC) and Ash House Women’s Prison.In addition to the joint inspections, RQIA also conducted a detailed inspection on prison healthcare at the YOC and Women’s Prison. The report highlights issues relating to healthcare provision within the prisons, and makes specific recommendations for those organisations involved in the commissioning and provision of healthcare services within these prisons.
You can access RQIA’s Prison Healthcare Inspection report and the joint reports here.
RQIA Consultations
Following the pre-consultation period for RQIA’s Corporate Strategy and Three Year Review Programme for 2012-15, RQIA held a formal twelve week consultation period, running from 12 September to 9 December 2011 (now closed).RQIA will now consider responses to the consultation, and will publish its Corporate Strategy and Three Year Review Programme for 2012-15 in early 2012. You can view the consultation documents at our consultations page.
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