The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Mental Health Commission (MHC) recognise the importance of increasing the quality and safety of services for all adults in Ireland, especially those who may be at risk of harm. Having National Standards for Adult Safeguarding in place allows for a consistent approach to preventing and responding to harm when it does occur. National standards provide a framework for the continual development of person-centred, high-quality, safe and effective services.

However, a system-wide approach to addressing safeguarding requires policy and legislation to also be in place. The Government is committed to safeguarding adults through relevant legislation and national policy and the Department of Health announced that a new national adult safeguarding policy was to be developed for the health sector.2 This, together with national standards and service provider policies and procedures, will provide a system-wide approach to addressing safeguarding in Ireland.

[See, also the related Regulation handbook]