6. HIQA 6.1 The inspection process Every person interviewed recognised and welcomed the need for regulation and inspection in the disability sector. The need for inspections to cater to people with a huge spectrum of abilities and needs in different settings was recognised as a challenge in the disability sector. A number of issues arose with service providers with regards to: The perceived lack of consistency both in of the inspectors approach to particular issues and interpretation of Regulations Apparent variance across different HIQA regions HIQA inspectors covering both Nursing Homes and Disability Residential services Advice 12. HIQA should reconfigure the inspector team structure to have one group inspecting older person's services and a different team of inspectors for disability services. 6.2 Verification processes used by HIQA The National Disability Authority acknowledges the importance of having a robust verification process within a Regulatory Framework and the importance of up to date documentation in this process. HIQA have acknowledged same, as well as, other elements that are used to inform a judgement, such as, observation by inspectors in the course of inspections; notification of incidents; reports etc Some service providers, however, did highlight the perception that the HIQA inspection is primarily paperwork” exercise. Other stakeholders stressed the “a need for more engagement by HIQA with third parties who are involved with the
6. HIQA 6.1 The inspection process Every person interviewed recognised and welcomed the need for regulation and inspection in the disability sector. The need for inspections to cater to people with a huge spectrum of abilities and needs in different settings was recognised as a challenge in the disability sector. A number of issues arose with service providers with regards to: The perceived lack of consistency both in of the inspectors approach to particular issues and interpretation of Regulations Apparent variance across different HIQA regions HIQA inspectors covering both Nursing Homes and Disability Residential services Advice 12. HIQA should reconfigure the inspector team structure to have one group inspecting older person's services and a different team of inspectors for disability services. 6.2 Verification processes used by HIQA The National Disability Authority acknowledges the importance of having a robust verification process within a Regulatory Framework and the importance of up to date documentation in this process. HIQA have acknowledged same, as well as, other elements that are used to inform a judgement, such as, observation by inspectors in the course of inspections; notification of incidents; reports etc Some service providers, however, did highlight the perception that the HIQA inspection is primarily “a paperwork” exercise. Other stakeholders stressed the need for more engagement by HIQA with third parties who are involved with the
NDA-policy-advice-paper-on-HIQA-Study-26-Feb-2016-.docx