The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 20 reports on residential services for people with disabilities. HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities which apply to residential and respite services across all disability services in Ireland.

Of the 20 reports published, 13 of the inspections found that, in general, the provider was ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations, including four centres operated by Rehabcare and in two centres operated by Ability West.

Seven reports relate to Daughters of Charity centres. Inspections in three of these centres inspectors found evidence of good practice in supporting residents. For example, in one centre, the inspector observed residents to be content and interacting with staff in a relaxed and friendly manner. However, risks were found in four centres. In two of these centres, the provider has taken steps to bring the centre into compliance; however, the design and layout of both centres did not meet all residents’ mobility, dignity and privacy needs. In another community-based centre operated by the same provider in Limerick, improvements were needed in medicines management practices, safeguarding and fire containment measures. In a further centre operated by Daughters of Charity, six major non-compliances were found in areas such as safeguarding and safety and health and safety and risk management.

Seven reports on centres operated by Sunbeam House were also published today. In four of these centres, inspectors found a good level of compliance. However, three centres in Wicklow operated by Sunbeam House were found to be non-compliant in areas such as health and safety and risk management. In particular, two of these centres showed little improvement since the previous inspection.