Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 18 inspection reports on thematic inspections of restrictive practices and infection control in 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. 

Today’s publication includes 16 reports on HIQA’s programme of thematic inspections of restrictive practices, which are the intentional restriction of a person's voluntary movement or behaviour. The inspection programme focuses on assessing physical and environmental restraints as well as other forms of restrictive practices, and aims to promote quality improvement across services. 

All 16 of these reports were found to be compliant, with good practice identified in ensuring residents’ rights were promoted, their privacy and dignity were respected and their care was person centred. The centres are operated by: Autism Spectrum Association Of Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee, Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Camphill Communities of Ireland, Dundas Unlimited Company, GALRO Unlimited Company, Health Service Executive (HSE), Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, S O S Kilkenny CLG, Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities, St John of God Community Services CLG, and St. Aidan's Day Care Centre CLG. 

Examples of good practice included:

• In a centre operated by Autism Spectrum Association Of Ireland CLG, staff had completed training in using a human-rights based approach to health and social care and on the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The person in charge said that staff were advocating more on behalf of residents since undertaking the training.
• Restrictive practices were in place in a Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG centre, and had been reviewed and were linked to a positive behaviour support plan to support residents. The provider demonstrated that residents were consulted about any restrictions in place and were supported to understand why they were used.

The remaining two reports relate to inspections on infection prevention and control (IPC) which aim to promote continuous quality improvement in IPC practices in line with the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services (2018), published by HIQA. 

Two centres, operated separately by Barrow Valley Enterprise for Adult Members with Special Needs CLG and The Rehab Group were found to be non-compliant, which meant that residents were not being adequately protected from the risk of infection. These providers were required to take actions to improve their infection prevention and control arrangements. 

Examples of areas requiring improvement included:

• Improvements were required in the premises to ensure adequate cleaning could be completed as required.
• Improvements were required in management and stocking of personal protective equipment. 
• Improvements were required to ensure regular flushing of water to decrease the risk of waterborne bacteria.