Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 29 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 29 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres operated by a number of providers including; Health Service Executive (HSE), Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, St John of God Community Services CLG, St Michael's House, Stewarts Care Limited, and Talbot Care Unlimited Company.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

At a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, residents’ choices were promoted by staff. Residents were supported to personalise their bedrooms and enjoy a range of activities including beauty treatments, shopping and visiting their families. Residents also expressed that they were happy with both their home and the support they received.

At a centre in Dublin operated by Stewarts Care Limited, residents told the inspector about part-time employment they were involved in as well as a wide range of activities. Residents used a visual planner to organise the forthcoming week and the activities that they would be involved in which included accessing the amenities in their local area and going on day trips. Residents were also kept up to date with the running of the centre and their rights through easy-to-read information displayed in their home.

Residents at a centre in Mayo operated by the HSE, spoke of their satisfaction with the service they received and were complimentary about the staff. Residents were supported to be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day running of the centre such as grocery shopping and preparing meals. Residents were also involved in making decisions about the activities they accessed such as visiting local religious places, shopping, beauty treatments and visiting family. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 10 inspections.

Inspections completed in designated centres provided by the HSE in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (CHO1) following a targeted safeguarding programme in January 2022, found that although improvements had occurred, further action was required in areas such as governance and management, staff training and the notifying of incidents to HIQA as required by regulation.

Two reports have been published on centres operated by S O S Kilkenny CLG. Improvements were required in different areas such as measures to protect against infection and residents’ personal plans. 

Improved fire safety measures were required at a centre operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited. Improvements to the premises were required at a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG.

Finally, more effective staffing arrangements were required at a centre operated by Redwood Extended Care Facility Unlimited Company.

Read all reports at the link below.