Today the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 13 inspection reports on residential settings for older people. HIQA monitors designated centres for compliance with Health Act Regulations and the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

Twelve of today’s reports relate to unannounced dementia care thematic inspections. These inspections focus on the quality of life of people with dementia and monitor the level of compliance with the regulations and standards in relation to residents with dementia. As part of the thematic inspection process, providers were invited to attend information seminars given by HIQA in 2015. Evidence-based guidance was developed to guide the providers on best practice in dementia care and the inspection process.

Good practice and evidence of safe, high-quality care for residents with dementia related needs was found in six centres.

However, six centres were found to have areas of concern and evidence of non-compliance in relation to dementia specific care. Inspectors found that residents’ needs were not always met in these centres due to poor practice in areas such as; governance and management arrangements, staffing compliments, medicines management, safeguarding and care plans. 

A further inspection report published today details an unannounced follow-up inspection in one of these centres following receipt of unsolicited information.