Sir, – I agree with Dr Bernadette Brady (August 6th) that the actions of the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) will serve to compound the nursing home crisis massively and most probably unnecessarily. In a world that now seems to be governed by guidelines and standards, perhaps we need to step back and look at the big picture. As a nation we have an ageing population and have inadequate resources to deal with the complexity of medical and nursing needs of this group. Removing nursing home beds is not the solution.
Perhaps Hiqa’s role should be expanded to improve quality actively where quality improvements can be made. This would be a far more positive and constructive approach to the current “audit and axe” model that appears to be in place. – Yours, etc,
Dr MARIA O’MAHONY,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.