Disability services publication statement 12 April 2023

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 41 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 41 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 21 centres operated by a number of providers including; Health Service Executive (HSE), Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, Resilience Healthcare Limited, Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny), St John of God Community Services CLG, St Joseph's Foundation, St Michael's House, Talbot Care Unlimited Company, The Rehab Group, and Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Westmeath operated by the HSE, residents were supported to express their needs and choices in their preferred method of communication. Staff were knowledgeable about residents’ communication styles and reacted accordingly. Additional aids were used to further promote communication such as accessible, easy-to-read information and communication boards showing planned activities for the day. 
• At a centre in Laois operated by Muiríosa Foundation, residents’ needs were responded to in a warm and caring manner by staff. Support was provided to residents to access a range of activities at home and in their local community reflective of their needs and interests.
• During an inspection of a centre in Tipperary operated by the Rehab Group, residents spoke with the inspector and told them that they were happy, and enjoyed visiting the centre for respite. Residents communicated that they felt safe in the centre. At all times, residents were observed laughing, smiling and they appeared comfortable as they interacted with staff members and each other.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 20 inspections. 

Four reports identifying non-compliance have been published on centres operated by the HSE, three of which are based in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (CHO1). A high level of non-compliance was found at two HSE centres where better safeguarding arrangements were required, as well as improvements in staffing, the premises, managing complaints and notifying incidents to HIQA as required by regulations. At two other HSE centres, improvements were required in maintaining records and management of medications. Inspectors have been conducting an enhanced inspection programme of HSE operated centres in Co. Donegal and while there have been improvements in other centres, these centres were not providing the standard of care and support that residents are entitled to and the provider was required to take prompt action to address the issues.  

Five reports have been published on centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. At one centre, an urgent action was issued to the provider to improve fire safety measures while improvements were also needed in staffing, training, premises and residents’ personal plans. Non-compliance was identified at four other centres in different areas such as staffing, fire safety and infection prevention measures, and safeguarding residents.

A high level of non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland. An urgent action was issued to the provider for fire safety while better measures were needed to protect against infection, upkeep of premises, staffing and risk management.

Improvements to arrangements for the management of complaints and safeguarding were required at a centre operated by St Michael's House.

A centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG was found to be non-compliant in premises and in notifying incidents to the Chief Inspector of Social Services. Two centres operated by Muiríosa Foundation required improvement in different areas such as residents’ personal plans, staff training and in notifying incidents to the Chief Inspector.

At a centre operated by Stewarts Care Limited, improvements were required in fire safety, training and staffing arrangements. A centre operated by Peter Bradley Foundation CLG required improvements to the premises.

Better supports for staff in the management of behaviours of concern were needed at a centre operated by St Gabriel's Foundation. A review of written policies was required at a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association. 

Finally, improvements in fire safety measures were required at a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company, and updated registration details was required for a centre operated by PraxisCare.

Read all reports at the link below.