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	The country&rsquo;s home help services need to be regulated as many people receiving such care are &ldquo;markedly vulnerable&rdquo;, according to the health watchdog, Hiqa.</p>
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	Hiqa chief executive Pheilim Quinn said statutory regulation in the homecare sector was promised in the Programme for Government, but &ldquo;this does not appear to be a priority for the current Government&rdquo;.</p>
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	In a wide-ranging speech at the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies&rsquo; national conference on safeguarding vulnerable people held in Portlaoise, Mr Quinn also said delays in moving people with special needs from outdated institution-style settings to community settings is inexcusable.</p>
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	&ldquo;Accommodating people in poor-quality environments and in cultures that are not compliant with modern standards could in itself be viewed as abusive,&rdquo; he said.</p>
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	&ldquo;A large number of services had systems in place that worked against the principles of safe, person centred, integrated care.&rdquo;</p>
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	This failure to roll out the Government&rsquo;s &lsquo;decongregation&rsquo; policy suggests that this country believes that vulnerable people can make do with &ldquo;well enough&rdquo; care rather than best practice, he said.</p>
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	Due to the number of substandard care centres for older and dependent persons, he noted it will be 2021 before services for the elderly and disabled meet full environmental compliance.</p>
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	Many of the people to be moved from larger &lsquo;congregated&rsquo; settings will become more dependant on homecare &mdash; the sector that Hiqa urgently wants regulated.</p>
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	&ldquo;Homecare regulation should include care provided in emerging service models, such as supported or assisted living services, whereby personal care is provided on an individual or group basis,&rdquo; said Mr Quinn.</p>
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	He also raised questions about &lsquo;checks and balances&rsquo; in place around Section 38 and 39 service providers. These organisations, often charitable and philanthropic groups, are paid &ldquo;substantial money&rdquo; by the State to look after the disabled and elderly, yet some have been found repeatedly wanting in Hiqa audits.</p>
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	&ldquo;In recent times, Hiqa has identified services that have demonstrated significant non-compliance with basic standards of care; however, these service providers have not had to fear the threat of conditions being placed on their contractual arrangement with the funder, i.e. the State,&rdquo; said Mr Quinn.</p>
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	He said the HSE must take greater responsibility for the organisations it funds to carry out its work.</p>
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	Calling for a commissioning framework to be introduced, the Hiqa chief said this would ensure &ldquo;agreed strategy, assessed need, best available evidence, service efficacy, value for money, and the capacity and capability to deliver a safe and effective service&rdquo;.</p>
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	Mr Quinn also said that a state entitlement to &lsquo;safe care&rsquo; should exist for the most vulnerable including the homeless, prisoners, migrants or asylum seekers in direct provision.</p>
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	Adult safeguarding legislation should be put in place to prevent and stop abuse and neglect in these vulnerable groups, Mr Quinn added.</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 18th November 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/home-help-services-need-to-be-regulated-says-hiqa-chief-431108.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/home-help-services-need-to-be-regulated-says-hiqa-chief-431108.html</a></p>
