RQIA's Blood Safety Review report has been launched by Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.  RQIA's report assessed the implementation of NPSA's Right Patient Right Blood by health and social care trust and independent health care providers. 

The review team found good operational control of blood transfusion and compliance with NPSA’s safety notice. The report makes 22 recommendations for trust based services and 17 for independent providers.  These relate to issues such as setting up systems for recording training and transfusion episodes, and putting in place long-term plans to maintain a competency-based approach for everyone involved in the blood transfusion process.  RQIA's report can be accessed here.

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.

 

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 recentlypublished 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.