Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 38 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 38 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres operated by a number of providers including; Avista CLG, Ability West, An Breacadh Nua, Bradbury House Ireland Limited, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Health Service Executive (HSE), The Rehab Group, and Sunbeam House Services CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents said they enjoyed a good quality of life, with one resident describing a foreign holiday and their weekday job which they enjoyed. The premises was warm, cosy and was decorated for Christmas and residents also had pictures displayed of them enjoying social events.
• At a centre in Wexford operated by An Breacadh Nua, residents were supported to personalise their bedrooms with items that were important to them such as personal photographs. Residents also spoke about their planned activities and how a recent change in the location for their day service, provide them with independence.
• During an inspection of a centre in Offaly operated by Bradbury House Ireland Limited, residents spoke about their activities they enjoyed, with one resident telling the inspector about the independence they had in their own apartment. They enjoyed making their own breakfast and going out of coffee, but were also happy that staff were available to help them when they needed it. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 24 inspections. 

Nine reports identifying non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. A high level of non-compliance was identified at two centres with improvement required in areas such as residents’ rights, premises and personal plans. At seven other centres, improvements were further required in areas such as management of complaints and risks, staffing, fire safety, and notifying incidents to HIQA as required by regulations.



Urgent improvements were required at a centre operated by Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives CLG in areas such as infection control, premises, training and the safeguarding of residents.

Non-compliance was identified in six centres operated by Ability West. Improvements were required in different areas across these centres such as staffing, measures to protect against infection, premises, notifying incidents to HIQA, residents’ support plans, and the management of risk. 



Two reports have been published on centres operated by COPE Foundation. Improvements were required in residents’ records, personal plans, and written contracts, managing risk, and notifying incidents to HIQA.

Improvements to staffing and fire safety arrangements were required following the inspection of a centre operated by Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG.

Better management of medication and residents’ personal plans were required at a centre operated by Abode Doorway to Life CLG. Improvements to the premises and fire safety measures were required at a centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG. 



Finally, measures to protect against infection were required at three separate centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, Avista CLG, and Peter Bradley Foundation CLG.

Read all reports at the link below.