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, 11 inspections found that the provider was generally ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations, including four centres operated by Muiriosa Foundation and one centre operated by each of the following providers: North West Parents and Friends Association for Mentally Handicapped Children, Western Care Association and Three Steps.

Six of today’s reports relate to centres provided by Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services Ltd. Evidence of good practice in meeting residents’ care and welfare needs was found in one centre. Four reports refer to three centres on the same campus-based setting. The congregated setting of these centres was not meeting residents’ needs for privacy and dignity, and there was poor management of incidents of behaviour that challenges. Furthermore, two of these centres had issues in relation to fire precautions. A follow-up inspection in one of these centres found improvements in safeguarding residents had been made, and residents were now better protected.

A report on another centre operated by Daughters of Charity on a different campus found that residents’ rights and dignity were not protected at all times and staffing levels were insufficient to meet residents’ needs and wishes.

Two reports refer to Rehabcare centres. While one centre was found to be operating in compliance with the regulations, the provider had failed to ensure staff had the required training to meet residents’ needs in another centre.

Improvements were required in a centre run by Camphill Communities of Ireland to better meet the care and welfare of the residents, but overall the service provided was in compliance with the regulations and standards. However, an inspection in another Camphill Communities of Ireland centre found that actions to improve the service following the previous inspection had not been implemented. As a result, residents’ rights were not protected and their social care, intimate care and communication needs were not being met.

One report on a campus-based centre operated by Peamount Healthcare found seven major non-compliances in the service. The provider did not have adequate arrangements in place to oversee the running of the centre or to ensure residents’ finances were protected, social care needs were met and healthcare associated infections were managed in line with best practice guidelines.

Inspectors found that Stepping Stones had not put adequate arrangements in place to safeguard residents in a centre. Recent admissions to the designated centre had not been managed appropriately, which resulted in distress for residents. While areas of substantial compliance were found in a centre operated by Sunbeam House, inspectors found inconsistent information in healthcare plans and poor planning to meet residents’ social care needs.