Health Committee chairperson, Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin
The announcement that Older Persons Commissioner Claire Keatinge is to hold a review into the regulations of care homes here has been welcomed by Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin.
Ms McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont health committee, said “quality of care” in care homes was paramount and that patients were “protected and respected.”
The Sinn Fein MLA added “There have been examples where care has failed and regulation has been slow and sometimes less than effective in addressing the problems in these homes and in domiciliary care.
“We need to move to society that protects and upholds the rights and entitlements of our elderly population.”
Ms McLaughlin added the review must also examine protection for whistleblowers who, she said, were quite often neglected are isolated due to coming forward.
She concluded: “I look forward to seeing the recommendations from the review and working with the Commissioners to ensure that they are implemented as soon as possible.”
