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 10 centres operated by a number of providers including; Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, Resilience Healthcare Limited, RK Respite Services Ltd, S O S Kilkenny CLG, Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny), St Aidan's Day Care Centre CLG, and Talbot Care Unlimited Company.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Cork operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, residents told the inspector about how happy they were at the centre. Residents also spoke about their keen interest in animals, with one resident being supported with their interest in farming, while another had various pets including fish and lizards.
• At a centre in Galway operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited, the inspector found that residents were supported to enjoy a very good quality of life and had an active role in decision making. Residents were supported to celebrate key milestones in their lives as well as enjoy various activities such as cooking and baking, weekly music theatre class, tag rugby and trips to the beach.
• Residents at a centre in Dublin operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company were actively involved in their local community, with some being members of local cricket, rugby and football teams.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 14 inspections.

A high level of non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by Steadfast House CLG. Improvements were required in areas such as governance and management, staffing, and personal plans. Inspectors have undertaken further engagement with this provider since this inspection.

Two reports have been published on centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited. Across both centres, improvements were required in staff training, premises, and residents’ personal plans.

Non-compliance was identified in different areas such as fire safety and staffing at two centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. 

Fire safety measures and medication arrangements required improvement at a centre operated by The Anne Sullivan Centre CLG.

Improvements were required in fire safety and the management of residents’ finances at a centre operated by Saint Patrick’s Centre (Kilkenny).

At a centre operated by the Rehab Group, improvements were required in relation to the suitability and condition of the premises, and residents’ personal plans.

Improved arrangements for the management of residents’ finances were required at a centre operated by the Peter Bradley Foundation CLG and insufficient staffing was identified at a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG.

Improvement in fire safety measures were required at two centres operated separately by Walkinstown Association For People With An Intellectual Disability CLG and St Christopher's Services CLG.

Finally, improvements were required in staffing and the premises of a centre operated by Western Care Association, and written service agreements in a service operated by St Joseph’s Foundation.

Read all reports at the link below.