When the Office of Health Standards Compliance inspector knocks: What do I do?

Abstract

Inspectors and health officers attached to the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) may inspect or investigate premises where health services are provided, and may then perform a number of actions, including questioning people, taking samples, requesting documents, and conducting inspections and investigations. The outcomes of these activities may result in a number of sanctions, some of which may seriously impact health establishments and practitioners. This article aims to review the rights that health establishments, healthcare providers and health workers have when subjected to inspections or investigations by the OHSC. It also recommends a number of steps that may be taken when an inspector arrives at an establishment.