New nursing home regulations will offer 'enhanced protections', says Hiqa

Under the new rules, registered nursing homes must ensure there is a designated 'person in charge' in possession of a minimum level administrative qualification.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has welcomed the implementation of new nursing home regulations as representing a “significant change” in terms of supporting residents and ensuring better governance at the institutions.

The new regulations, which take effect from Monday, aim to establish new norms in terms of resident visitor access and governance responsibility, notably in times of societal stress, such as during a pandemic.