All the provisions of a law regulating social welfare service providers will finally come into force at the start of the New Year, meaning the watchdog could start imposing fines and revoking licences for non-compliance.
The Social Care Standards Authority, which covers both private and public providers, such as elderly homes, came into existence last June. However, it was not vested with all powers immediately but staggered over an eight-month period through various legal notices to bring into force various provisions of the law.
The decision was justified on grounds that a smooth takeover from the Health Care Standards Directorate within the Department for Health Regulations was necessary.
It transpires that, in the case of elderly homes, the authority will be taking over as from January 1, 2019 in line with a legal notice published last Monday.
Consequently, during January of every year, the watchdog shall publish in The Government Gazette a list of all licensed service providers, including the type of social welfare services being offered and a list of those whose licence would have been revoked, if any. Any changes in the conditions required for licensing or renewal must…
