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LEAS CROSS - GRAVE CONCERN OVER DELAY IN INTRODUCING STANDARDS

Friday 10th November 2006.

The Leas Cross Nursing Home scandal will continue to be open to being repeated until national standards for ongoing monitoring and inspection of services are implemented, according to People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI), the national body representing all people with disabilities.

"It is difficult to understand the continuing failure of the Department of Health to insist on the implementation of national standards," said PwDI Chief Executive, Michael Ringrose today.

"Measurable national standards are essential because they would deliver accountability, quality and consistency throughout the country.

"A great deal of very professional and high level work under the Chairmanship of Professor Vincent Dodd went into the preparation of draft national standards.

"However, despite the fact that they were drawn up two years ago they have still not been published."

Mr Ringrose said that many of the organisations providing services to older people and those with disabilities set their own standards.

"For example, 90% of the health budget in relation to disability continues to be consumed by non-statutory organisations.

"While many of the bodies providing services to those who are ill or have disabilities are doing excellent work, it is also the case that a sizable number do not want to become subject to the kind of scrutiny that such standards would impose.

"Therefore, we are calling on the Minister for Health to ensure that the draft standards are published without delay. The Government must resist any behind the scenes moves for the status quo to remain," he said.

"Once standards are implemented, the Department must insist that funding be withheld from those organisations failing to meet the standards, regardless of the length of time over which they may have been providing services."

Mr Ringrose said that with the increasing tendency to privatise services the issue of standards is particularly urgent.

Ends

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