Latest News

Complaints Survey

RQIA is undertaking a survey of all complaints received by providers during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. To facilitate this, all registered providers are required to provide RQIA with a summary of all complaints, the actions taken and outcomes during this period.

... Full details here

Health and social care matters

People in Northern Ireland care deeply about the quality of health and social care services. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent health and social care regulatory body for Northern Ireland, and forms an integral part of the new health and social care structures. In its work RQIA encourages continuous improvement in the quality of these services through a programme of inspections and reviews.

Other News

RQIA has just published its follow-up review report Reducing the Risk of Hyponatraemia when Administering Intravenous Infusions to Children. The review team has made eight recommendations and these have been accepted by the Health Minister. It is encouraging to note that the review team found that HSC trusts and independent health care facilities have good operational control of the administration of intravenous fluids to children in compliance with the National Patient Safety Agency's Safety Alert no.22: Reducing the Risk of Hyponatraemia when Administering Intravenous Fluids to children has been substantially achieved. The full report can be accessed ... here.

Information for Individuals seeking Registration with RQIA

From June 2010, in light of revised arrangements for the Vetting and Barring Scheme, anyone wishing to register with RQIA should read this Explanatory Note.

RQIA has recently published its Review of Intrapartum Care Services across Northern Ireland.

The review team highlights the need for an the development of a maternity strategy for Northern Ireland. The report makes a total of 20 recommendations for the service across Northern Ireland and a further 23 specific recommendations for trusts. Key recommendations include the need to maintain appropriate levels of obstetric, anaesthetic and midwifery cover; for all trusts to audit and review their midwifery staffing levels on an annual basis; and to provide all staff with protected time for mandatory training. Taken together, these provide further direction for improvements in the quality and safety of care for women in labour and during delivery. RQIA's report can be accessed here.

In February, to support service managers in preparing for inspection during 2010-11, RQIA held a series of workshops for managers of day care settings, domiciliary care agencies, nursing homes and residential care homes attended by some 900 people. Copies of guidance for service providers, sample inspection workbooks and presentations made at the workshops are available here.

RQIA has recently published an overview report of its unannounced infection control/hygiene inspections at acute hospitals, and eight individual inspection reports. These reports are available in the publications section of our website. You can access the reports here.

Medical Device/Equipment Alerts

From 1 April 2010 new arrangements are being put in place for service providers to eliminate risks to patients and service users from equipment including medical devices. You can access more information here.

Vetting and Barring Scheme

From October 12 2009, increased safeguards have been introduced under the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 has established new safeguarding arrangements aimed at strengthening protection for children and vulnerable adults in workplace situations. For more information visit here.

Functions of Mental Health Commission transfer to RQIA

On 1 April 2009 the functions of the former Mental Health Commission transferred to RQIA under changes to health and social care structures in Northern Ireland. RQIA is now responsible for the delivery of a new range of duties - monitoring the care and services for people with mental ill health or a learning disability.

Swine Flu

Important information on Swine Flu can be found on this site. You can access the latest information including links to useful documents and websites by clicking here.

You can also access this information page by selecting Swine Flu on the quick links on the left hand side of this screen.

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