Report author questions lack of progress

THE author of a report reviewing 105 deaths at a nursing home has questioned the lack of progress in introducing an internationally recognised method for analysing the health needs of older people.

Eighteen months ago, geriatrician Prof Des O’Neill, author of the Leas Cross Review, recommended the Health Service Executive (HSE) adopt the MDS or Minimum Data Set, which he described as “the gold standard” method of determining the care needs of an elderly patient.

Yesterday, Prof O’Neill said he was awaiting clarification from the Health Service Executive (HSE) as to what progress, if any, had been made in introducing the MDS.