THE HOUSE of Representatives last Tuesday approved amendments to the Nurses Home Registration Act, paving the way for stiffer fines to be levied against those found in breach of the Act.
Also, registration fees for the operation of such homes are to be increased. Additionally, the Bill which was piloted by Health Minister John Junor, calls for the compulsory inspection of nursing homes for the purpose of registration or renewal of registration and the issuance of certificates.
The Minister told the House that the fine for operating a nursing home without a licence would be increased from $100 to $30,000. Application fees would be increased from 50 cents and would now be based on the number of beds in each home. Applicants will now be charged $5,000 for a maximum of 25 beds and $10,000 for more than 25 beds. The certificate of registration will be valid for two years. Section 8 of the amended Act provides for a transitional period of six months for owners or operators of nursing homes to register or renew their registration. Dr. Ken Baugh, Opposition spokesman on Health, supported the Bill but said Government should look at providing more homes for persons suffering from HIV/AIDS. "I have emphasized those problems only to highlight that there is an increasing demand for nursing homes," Dr. Baugh said. He added that: "Nursing homes are important to Jamaica and increasingly we are seeing the need to establish villages for an aging population where they can retire in peace and safety and where they have access to emergency care and medical care."
The opposition spokesman
suggested that homes be graded according to different levels of complexities and specialities offered. Mr. Junor said there was a move in this direction but it had proved to be difficult.
