Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 25 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 25 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in nine centres operated by a number of providers including; Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, GALRO Unlimited Company, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Laois operated by GALRO Unlimited Company, residents appeared very comfortable within their home and with staff. The centre had been redesigned to better meet residents’ needs, for example, with wardrobes being converted into open shelving to enable easier access. Residents had very active lifestyles at the centre which included swimming, and visiting places of interest locally, which was supported by staff and the availability of transport.
• At a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, residents were happy to share information about their lifestyle, activities and achievements with the inspectors and spoke about the support they received with their needs. One resident spoke positively about the support they had received from staff following a recent bereavement. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 16 inspections.

Three inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association. A high level of non-compliance was identified at one centre in areas such as staffing, governance arrangements, medication management, residents’ personal plans and infection control measures. At the other two centres, non-compliance was found relating to the condition of premises, safeguarding and risk management. 

Five reports with non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Ireland CLG. Non-compliance was identified in numerous areas including fire safety, governance and management arrangements, condition of premises, risk management and safeguarding arrangements for residents. 

At a centre operated by the COPE Foundation, improvements were required fire safety, infection control, residents’ personal plans and staff training.

HIQA found non-compliance in a HSE centre operating in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (CHO1). At this centre, the provider was required to submit an urgent compliance plan to address fire safety issues.

An inspection of a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland, found that the provider had not fully assessed residents’ health and social care needs.

Two reports with non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. Repeated non-compliance was identified at one centre due to the condition of premises and not fully meeting residents’ personal and social needs. The provider was required to take immediate action to address a premises issue that was impacting on residents. At the other centre, improvement was required to staffing and in upholding residents’ rights.

The need for improvements in fire safety and the condition of premises was identified at a centre operated by Cumas New Ross. Improvements to respect residents’ rights were required at a centre operated by Carriglea Cáirde Services.  

Finally, at a centre operated by Ability West, improvements were required to fire safety arrangements.

Read all reports at the link below.