Not yet. The Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill is not law, so HIQA licenses no hospital or clinic today, though it monitors HSE services and private hospitals against the national standards, every provider must notify it of notifiable incidents, and inpatient mental health units must be registered by the Mental Health Commission.
What applies to your service today
Since the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 commenced on 26 September 2024, HIQA monitors compliance with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare in healthcare services provided or funded by the HSE and in private hospitals.1 A private hospital, for this purpose, is one run by someone other than the HSE that provides medical or surgical treatment, or care directed by registered specialists from at least three specialities, and can accommodate a person for at least 24 hours. Designated centres and centres registered by the Mental Health Commission are excluded.2
| Your service | Who oversees it today | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Private hospital | HIQA, against the national standards | Meet the 45 standards, expect inspection, notify incidents within seven days |
| HSE or HSE-funded hospital or community service | HIQA, against the national standards | The same, with notifications through the HSE's own NIMS |
| Private clinic | No HIQA licence, and no standards monitoring at present | Notify HIQA of a notifiable incident within seven days |
| Any service using X-ray or other medical radiation | HIQA, as competent authority | Declare the undertaking and meet the 2018 medical exposure regulations |
| Inpatient mental health unit | The Mental Health Commission | Register as an approved centre before operating |
What licensing would change
The Department of Health has prepared proposals for mandatory licensing of public and private hospitals and other providers of high-risk healthcare activities. The general scheme of the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill was approved by Government in December 2017.3 HIQA says the Bill, when enacted, will introduce a licensing requirement for all hospitals, public and private, and certain potentially high-risk services, and that it is being progressed by the Department of Health.4 No licensing Bill is before the Oireachtas today.5
The practical reading is simple. A hospital that can show HIQA compliance with the national standards today is preparing for licensing at the same time, because the Department's stated aim is that providers do not operate below core standards applied consistently.3
Registering an approved centre with the Mental Health Commission
Every inpatient mental health facility must be registered as an approved centre under sections 63 and 64 of the Mental Health Act 2001, and operating one unregistered is an offence. Registration lasts three years, and a renewal application is due no later than two months before it expires.6
- Test the definition. Check whether the unit is an inpatient facility providing care and treatment for mental illness or disorder under the clinical direction of a consultant psychiatrist, as its primary purpose.
- Request access to CIS. First-time applicants contact the Commission's registration team, because applications are made only through its Comprehensive Information System.
- Name the registered proprietor. The legal entity that will run the centre, and the registered proprietor nominee who speaks for it.
- Submit a complete application. With the premises details and supporting documents, since incomplete applications are not processed.
- Host the pre-registration visit. The Director of Regulation or the Inspector may visit to see how the centre will meet the 2006 Regulations.
- Receive the decision. Registration, with or without conditions, and a certificate to display prominently in the centre.
- Diary the renewal. Two months before the three-year registration ends, at the latest.
- Service ______ Locations ______
- HIQA monitoring against the national standards applies, yes or no ______
- Notifiable incidents reported through NIMS by ______
- Medical radiation undertaking declared to HIQA, yes or no ______
- Approved centre registration, number ______ Expires ______
- Licensing Bill status checked on ______ By ______
- Next review of this statement ______
Questions
Is the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill law?
No. Its general scheme was approved by Government in December 2017, HIQA says the Department of Health is progressing it, and no licensing Bill is before the Oireachtas today.
Does a private clinic come under HIQA's standards monitoring?
Not at present. HIQA monitors HSE-provided or funded services and private hospitals, but every private clinic must notify HIQA of a notifiable incident within seven days.
How long does approved centre registration last?
Three years. A renewal application is due at least two months before the registration expires.
Sources
- 1Health Information and Quality Authority, 2026Healthcare ServicesRead source
- 2Health Information and Quality Authority, 2024National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, Version 2 (2024), in operation from 26 September 2024Read source
- 3Department of Health, 2025Patient Safety Legislation and Advocacy, including Licensing of healthcare providersRead source
- 4Health Information and Quality Authority, 2025HIQA inspections highlight improvements in healthcare services, but challenges remain, 7 November 2025Read source
- 5Houses of the Oireachtas, 2026Bills and ActsRead source
- 6Mental Health Commission, 2023Registration Process for Approved CentresRead source
Written by the wai team from Health Information and Quality Authority guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. Neither HIQA nor the Mental Health Commission endorses wai or any software.