Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 24 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 24 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres operated by a number of providers including: Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Dara Residential Services; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; and Health Service Executive (HSE).

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Tipperary operated by Avista CLG, suitable activities were sought for a resident who required a slower pace of life. For example, a resident was facilitated to join a singing group and have family visits, with the resident telling the inspector that they were well looked after. 
• At a centre in Dublin operated by Dara Residential Services, there was evidence of active consultation with residents and their families about their care and support as well as the day-to-day running of the centre. Residents also had access to the provider’s rights officer, whose contact details were on display at the centre.
• At a HSE-operated centre in Donegal, staff were very knowledgeable on the needs and preferences of residents. Staff in this centre had received human rights training and they spoke about ways they offered residents daily choices, promoted their independence and involved them in the running of the centre.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in 10 other centres.

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by COPE Foundation. At one centre, an urgent action was issued to the provider due to medication management arrangements which posed a risk to residents. Across the remaining two centres, improvements were needed in managing risks, fire safety, staffing, and the premises to ensure that residents’ needs were being met.

Inspectors identified instances of poor governance at four centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. At one centre, residents were impacted by poor management of their healthcare plans, fire safety issues and inadequate measures to protect against infection. Across the three other centres, improvements were needed in residents’ personal plans, oversight and staffing arrangements to appropriately meet residents’ needs.

Poor management of safeguarding incidents and their impact on residents was identified at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. In addition, improvements were needed to both staffing and the premises of the centre.

Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by Avista CLG. Residents were impacted by poor management of risks, safeguarding concerns, and fire safety measures. 

Finally, better governance arrangements and review of residents’ care plans were needed at a centre operated by the HSE.