1.0 INTRODUCTION

This guide has been developed to help you prepare and submit your assignment for the Contemporary issues, Legislation & Quality improvement in Older Persons Services module delivered as part of the PG/MSc Gerontological Nursing programme. You should read this guide carefully and refer to it when preparing your assignment.

You are also reminded to refer to the School Assignment Preparation and Submission Guidelines during this process and to adhere to the school requirements on the submission of assignments. Prior to discussing the actual assessment it is important to understand the rationale for themodule, its aims and learning outcomes.

2.0 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES, LEGISLATION & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN OLDER PERSONS SERVICES

2.1 Rationale of Module: Demographic changes have significant implications for the provision and delivery of health and social services to older people in all care settings. The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) supports older adults to remain in their own home as long as possible (HSE 2018). However, a residential care may be required and this changing dynamic has significant ramifications on both social and health policy aspects of practice in Ireland.

Regardless the service that the person requires, quality of the services and the care provided has to be assured (Health Information and Quality Authority, 2016). Therefore, it is essential that Gerontological Nurses possess the specialist knowledge and skills relating to the nature of the complex environment, health polices and quality indicators surrounding older adults.

2.2 Module Aim:

The aim of this module is to critically explore the knowledge, legislation, policies and quality improvement processes and standards underpinning gerontological nursing practice.