The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) has become the single contact point for care providers with enquires or seeking information request around Covid-19, at the request of the Department for Health.

The disclosure came following a question around the availability of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for frontline care-workers who are increasingly perturbed by the lack of supplies while dealing with very vulnerable people, at high risk of becoming infected with the virus.

RQIA was asked, as a result of these fears, if it is conducting an audit, investigation or any other action in respect of appropriate PPE equipment for all health staff including community carers, in the interests not only of staff welfare but to lessen the risk of Covid-19 transfer to patients, and reduce risks of hospital acquired infection?

They responded by stating supplies of PPE are sourced from the local Health Trusts, with the Public Health Agency taking the lead, and: “At present RQIA is not undertaking any specific investigations”.

But a spokesperson also explained: “In common with hospitals, every care service in Northern Ireland is at the frontline in dealing with the current Covid-19 pandemic. In the interest of patient safety, RQIA has paused its inspection programme, however, our inspectors are supporting services during this particularly challenging time through the provision of the latest advice and guidance.”

“In the current situation, the Department of Health has asked RQIA to act as a single point of contact for providers of nursing and residential care homes, domiciliary care and supported living services who have questions and issues arising from the current pandemic. This will ensure that providers have a single point of contact to raise issues and receive the most up to date advice, guidance and support from RQIA’s expert teams of inspectors who are experienced managers, registered nurses, social workers or health professionals. We are also supporting these services to make risk-assessed and evidence-based decisions using their professional judgement and their knowledge and understanding of the people in their care.”

The statement concluded: “The safety and wellbeing of everyone in receipt of health and social care services across Northern Ireland is of paramount importance to RQIA, and we continue to monitor every service to ensure their management arrangements are robust and in the best interests of those who are receiving care.”