Forvis Mazars Independent Review of HIQA Regulatory Inspection Process for Nursing Homes - Final Report (hiqa.ie)

• RTÉ Investigates exposé led to ministerial request for independent review of HIQA nursing home inspection processes.
• Forvis Mazars assessed quality/consistency of regulatory process, governance assessment, use of information, and adequacy of tools.
• Changing ownership patterns: rise of large corporate/international groups creates accountability gaps as regulator cannot hold parent entities.
• Review makes recommendations to enhance regulatory framework and alignment with modern ownership structures.
• Focus on human rights-based approach and safeguarding as regulatory priorities.

"The Forvis Mazars review, commissioned after RTÉ Investigates exposed care failings, assesses HIQA's regulatory inspection process for Irish nursing homes. It examines quality/consistency of inspections, governance assessment, use of statutory notifications and protected disclosures, and adequacy of regulatory tools. The report notes significant evolution since 2009 but highlights challenges from changing ownership patterns: rise of large corporate groups, often international, making it difficult to hold parent entities accountable. The review makes recommendations to strengthen regulatory processes, enhance transparency, and better align legal framework with modern ownership structures to protect residents' rights and care."