3552. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health her views on whether it is acceptable for a nursing home to have a policy of not informing a resident’s family about an unwitnessed fall early in the night until the following morning, 12 hours later; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61727/26]

The protection, welfare and rights of residents in nursing homes is of paramount importance. Nursing homes are required to have arrangements in place to safeguard residents and to ensure that significant incidents are appropriately assessed, recorded and managed.

HIQA’s Chief Inspector of Social Services, as the independent regulator of designated centres for older people, monitors compliance with the relevant regulations and standards through its inspection and regulatory functions.

Nursing homes are expected to have appropriate procedures in place that are agreed with residents and which ensure that residents' families, or their nominated representatives where appropriate, are informed of significant incidents in a timely and transparent manner.

The Department would expect that any unwitnessed fall is assessed promptly, appropriately documented, maintaining appropriate records and communicated to the resident's family or nominated representative in a timely manner, taking account of the resident's wishes, clinical circumstances and any immediate actions required to protect the resident's wellbeing.

HIQA has also published guidance for providers on managing notifiable events in designated centres, which supports providers in meeting their regulatory obligations in relation to the recording and management of significant incidents.

The overarching expectation is that providers act in the best interests of residents, ensuring that falls and other significant incidents are appropriately managed and that communication with residents and families is timely, transparent and person-centred.