Timeline of row over care facility inspections
March 20: Chief medical officer Dr Michael Mcbride writes to then interim chief executive of RQIA to inform her of the Department of Health direction to reduce the frequency of its statutory inspection activity and cease its non-statutory inspection activity.
April 27: RQIA board meeting attended by board members and interim chief executive Dermot Parsons discusses the implications of the departmental direction and concerns are raised.
April 28: Former interim chair of the RQIA Professor Mary McColgan writes to the Mr Mcbride “to reflect the concerns which we feel have arisen because of the consequences” of the Covid-19 response.
April 29: Mr Parsons emails Mr Mcbride seeking his “urgent advice” over the row with the RQIA board, stating that he believes his position “may be untenable”.
May 4: Mr Parsons emails him again stating “it is clear now that the board oppose decisions to implement those directions taken by me” and raises the possibility that he may resign due to his “untenable” position. Dr Mcbride replies to confirm that Mr Parsons has “responsibility for operational matters”.
May 5: Permanent secretary for Department of Health Richard Pengelly writes to Prof Mccolgan to offer reassurances safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children “remains an absolute priority”.
May 14: Mr Parsons appears in front of the Stormont health committee where he is asked about the decision to scale back inspections of care homes. Asked whether he agreed or challenged the reduction in care home inspections, he said: “Our approach towards that was agreement.”
June 18: Health Minister Robin Swann expresses disappointment at the resignation of a number of RQIA board members including Prof Mccolgan. Both the Department of Health and RQIA refuse to reveal who has resigned or the reason for the resignations.
June 22: The Department of Health announces it has lifted restrictions that were placed on the work of the RQIA because of the Covid-19 pandemic, less than 24 hours before a judicial review into the measure. It also emerged the entire board of the RQIA had resigned.