McGrath welcomes leave for Judicial Review against RQIA.
SDLP Health Committee Member Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed the High Court ruling that a Judicial Review can be taken against the RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) in respect of their decision to stop in-person care home inspections.
The South Down MLA said: “This is a deeply worrying time for all. With the spread of the coronavirus it was obvious that things would have to be done differently to save lives.”
However, to completely stop care home inspections felt like a step too far in this context. There appears to be, in my opinion, little effort to replicate the care home visit using technology and the RQIA has effectively become a helpline service officering only advice via telephone.
“Many businesses and institutions have had to stretch themselves to utilise technology to undertake their essential work and it feels like the RQIA hasn’t done this.
“I welcome this leave for Judicial Review and support Keith Gray in his challenge that his mother may not be being fully protected by the RQIA because of their decision to cease Care Home visits.
“I had written to RQIA some three weeks ago seeking assurances that their work was continuing during this pandemic. I was less than happy with the response that I received. Today, I sought and secured agreement of the Health Committee at Stormont to summons RQIA to our meeting next week to answer urgent questions.
“We cannot ignore the safety and protection of our cherished older family members, many with vulnerable conditions. While the care they receive in the North’s cares homes is second to none 99% of the time, the RQIA is there to protect them the 1% of time it goes wrong.
“The RQIA must better adapt their work to help our older people.”
