National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare

The Health Information and Quality Authority (the Authority) has commenced a process of national consultation on the draft National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.  The national standards aim to give a shared voice to the expectations of the public, of service users and of service providers. They are intended to provide a roadmap for a high quality, safe and reliable healthcare service.  This means that a variety of service providers can use the national standards to improve the quality and safety of care continuously.

HIQUA have developed these national standards with the help of a number of stakeholders, including patient representatives, clinicians and service providers. They take account of published research and other standards in Ireland and other countries. 

The national standards are designed to be applicable to all healthcare services (excluding mental health). These services include (but are not limited to): hospital care, ambulance services, community care, primary care and general practice.

The standards are available for public consultation for a six week period.  This is your opportunity to participate in the development of national standards for healthcare services.

The consultation document, consultation feedback form and other information is available on www.hiqa.ie. 

Following the consultation, the Authority will analyse the submissions and make further amendments to the standards. They will present a summary of the submissions received and main amendments in a Statement of Outcomes document which will make publicly available.