HIQA statement on Dealgan House Nursing Home

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) would like to express its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the residents of Dealgan House, Louth, who have passed away in recent weeks. Many of these deaths have been linked to the Coronavirus.

HIQA is aware of the situation in Dealgan House and since the early stages of the outbreak of COVID-19, has been actively involved in supporting the provider and staff of this nursing home to deliver safe and effective care, while continuing to maintain regulatory oversight.

HIQA has at all times been kept informed of the extensive support provided initially by the HSE’s CHO Area 8 crisis management team, and more recently by the RCSI Hospital Group. HIQA is aware that the external support required has reduced significantly over recent days.   

HIQA will be conducting an inspection of Dealgan House under the provisions of the Health Act 2007, as amended, in the near future.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
085 8055202, mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the editor:

  • As Ireland’s health and social care regulator, HIQA’s role is to assess whether services are complying with the law and providing safe, high-quality care to vulnerable residents. The regulation of social care services provided to people who may be vulnerable is a key tenet of Government policy.
  • Since early March, HIQA has been providing advice and guidance to the providers of services and staff, and supporting them to continue to provide high-quality and safe care to people during the pandemic.
  • All registered providers of designated centres for older people and people with a disability, as well as special care units for children, are required to notify the Chief Inspector of Social Services of any suspected or confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in their centre. This information is escalated to the HSE and the Department of Health on a daily basis to ensure that they are fully aware of all identified risk, and the resulting requirements of services.