Memorandum of Understanding
Nursing Homes & Care Facilities
Mission of Sage
‘To promote and protect the rights, freedom and dignity of older people by developing
support and advocacy services wherever ageing poses a challenge for individuals’.
1. Overview
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sage and ________________________
_______________________ relates to the development and provision of independent
support and advocacy services to residents and other service users. It sets out the
responsibilities of both parties. Sage was formally established on June 24 th 2014 following the
signing of a Memorandum of Agreement in which the HSE and The Atlantic Philanthropies
agreed to fund “the development and provision of an independent and impartial support and
advocacy service for older people in all care settings: home; nursing home; hospital; hostel;
hospice and in the process of transition between them” under the governance of Third Age.
The work of Sage is overseen by a National Advisory Committee chaired by Patricia RickardClarke and Nursing Homes Ireland is represented on this committee. The mission of Sage and
its role in ensuring that the voice of vulnerable older people is heard is best expressed in the
motto ‘Nothing about you / without you’.
Both Sage and ________________________________ are committed to:
(i)
(ii)
Operating to the highest professional standards guided by the values of
collaboration, transparency, mutual responsibility and respect and a dedication
to achieve the highest quality service and best possible outcomes for residents
and other service users; and
Ensuring that residents and other service users have easy access to independent
support and advocacy services.
2. Review and Monitoring
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This MoU is effective from date: _______________________
It will be reviewed annually at which stage it may be continued for a further year,
amended by mutual agreement to reflect necessary changes, or discontinued.
However, in lieu of a review during the specified period, the current MoU will remain
in effect.
It may be ended by either party giving 30 days’ notice in writing and specifying the
reasons.
Sage as the ‘Document Owner’ is responsible for the issuing of the MoU and for
ensuring reviews.
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3. Responsibilities of Sage
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To ensure the support and advocacy needs of residents and any other service users
are met by providing any or all of the following:
o Information & Advice on support and advocacy services
o A Rapid Response service where a matter is considered urgent
o Facilitation of residents, family and service user groups
o Visits from Support Persons and Advocates as required
o Specialist advocacy supports for residents and any other service users with
complex issues
o Learning opportunities for Persons in Charge and senior staff with regard to
emerging issues and challenges
To ensure that the role and responsibilities of the nursing home / care facility in
supporting and caring for residents and any other service users, as guided by HIQA
standards, is respected.
To provide all Sage Representatives providing support and advocacy services with the
necessary education, training, support and supervision to enable them to undertake
their agreed role.
To ensure all Sage Representatives are vetted through the Garda Vetting Application
Process and adhere to Sage’s Policy on Compliance with Garda Vetting.
To ensure consistency and continuity regarding the level and quality of service.
To provide Sage Representatives with access to a secure online system to record their
activities on behalf of clients in nursing homes and care facilities in accordance with
Sage policies on confidentiality, data protection, support and supervision and to
provide reports to whoever Sage considers appropriate in specific circumstances.
To set quality standards for the provision of support and advocacy services for older
people and to monitor their implementation.
To ensure that a designated Development Worker is available to deal with any
queries or concerns regarding the provision of support and advocacy services.
To ensure that all Sage Representatives assigned to work in specific care facilities are
formally introduced to the Person-In-Charge prior to commencing the provision of
service and thereafter observe all Sage Policies and Procedures and operational
guidelines.
To provide reports on specific issues in line with relevant Sage policies and
procedures.
To provide a summary report prior to any review of the MoU.
To provide a record of meetings of residents / service users / family groups in line
with Sage policies and procedures.
To collaborate where possible in addressing issues of concern to residents and any
other service users and to challenge where necessary.
To respond to issues brought to its attention within the following time frames:
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Within 0-8 hours for issues classified as High priority by both Sage and the
Nursing Home / care facility
Within 48 hours to make an experienced Sage Representative available at a
specific care facility if Sage considers this necessary.
Within 5 working days for issues classified as Low priority by both Sage and
the Nursing Home / care facility
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4. Responsibilities of _________________________________
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To formally acknowledge the independent role of Sage and its responsibility to
collaborate where possible and to challenge where necessary.
To facilitate placement of Sage Representatives as part of their initial orientation and
training to provide support and advocacy services.
To nominate a Designated Link Person who will have responsibility for ensuring that
Sage Representatives are facilitated in carrying out their roles in accordance with the
policies and procedures of Sage.
To facilitate access for residents and other service users to the support and advocacy
services of Sage through group meetings and individual or group advocacy.
To meet with Sage Representatives in relation to issues raised by residents and other
service users.
To contact the Development Worker, in the first instance, regarding any issues or
concerns about the quality of the service being provided by Sage Representatives.
To notify Sage of any failures to meet its service delivery responsibilities in a timely
manner.
To deal, in so far as is practicable and reasonable, with any complaints brought to
your attention in respect of:
(a) Sage involvement with your services as provided
(b) Issues for residents / service users identified through support and
advocacy work.
To participate in annual review meetings and any other meetings reasonably
requested by Sage.
To communicate and document any changes to services that may have an impact on
the provision of support and advocacy services.
To inform Sage Representatives of the death of a resident/service user with whom
Sage have been engaged where possible after the event
On behalf of Care Provider
On behalf of Sage
Name:
___________________________
Name: _____________________________
Address: ___________________________
Signed: _____________________________
___________________________
Date:
_____________________________-
___________________________
Eircode: ___________________________
Signed: ___________________________
Date:
___________________________
Review Date:
_________________________
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Development Worker
Name _______________________
Signed ______________________
Date ________________________
Sage Representatives
Assigned (ID Numbers)
Name: __________________________
_____________________________
Signed: __________________________
_____________________________
Date:
__________________________
_____________________________
Name: __________________________
_____________________________
Signed: __________________________
_____________________________
Date:
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_____________________________
Name: __________________________
_____________________________
Signed: __________________________
_____________________________
Date:
__________________________
_____________________________
Name: __________________________
_____________________________
Signed: __________________________
_____________________________
Date:
__________________________
_____________________________
Name: __________________________
_____________________________
Signed: __________________________
_____________________________
Date:
_____________________________
__________________________
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