Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 inspection reports on designated centres 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Of these 21 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 15 centres operated by a number of providers including; Muiríosa Foundation, MyLife by Estrela Hall Limited, RehabCare, St John of God Community Services CLG, St Michael's House, St. Paul's Child and Family Care Centre DAC, Stewarts Care Limited, Sunbeam House Services CLG, Talbot Care Unlimited Company, The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, and Walkinstown Association For People With An Intellectual Disability CLG. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Louth operated by MyLife by Estrela Hall Limited, inspectors found that residents were actively supported to make decisions about their lives through participating in residents’ meetings and individual meetings with their keyworkers.
• At a centre in Dublin operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, residents’ wishes were respected in their day-to-day lives, such as getting up later in the mornings and attending a local day activation centre rather than the provider’s own day centre. Residents spoke positively about the support they received, especially during a recent hospital admission. The centre’s garden was adapted to ensure accessibility.
• At a centre operated by Stewarts Care Limited in Dublin, residents enjoyed an active lifestyle and participated in activities such as swimming, art, going out for lunch, visiting local parks, cinema, beaches and the zoo. Residents were also actively involved in making decisions about their care and support, which was supported through education about their rights, and access to independent advocacy services.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on six inspections.

A high level of non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by Stewarts Care Limited. Improvements were required in areas such as staffing, oversight of the centre, the premises and residents’ health and social care plans. 

At a centre operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, improvements were required in staffing, risk management, behaviour support and safeguarding arrangements. 

Three reports have been published on centres operated by St Michael's House. At two centres, the provider was required to improve fire safety measures. At the other centre, safeguarding arrangements required improvement to ensure residents were safe.

Finally, at a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, improvements were required in the premises to ensure all residents’ needs were met.

Read all reports at the link below.