Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 26 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 26 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in six centres operated by a number of providers including; Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, COPE Foundation, and Delta Centre CLG. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Limerick operated by Avista CLG, residents had active lives in the local community, which also included a range of activities reflective of their interests such as regularly going to the local pub to listen to traditional music, visiting a local donkey sanctuary and attending the local hairdressers and beauty salon. 
• At a centre in Clare operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents were actively involved in their local community and told the inspector about looking forward to attending a local concert supported by staff. Support staff were knowledgeable about the needs of residents and were respectful in the manner of care and support provided. 
• At a centre in Cork operated by COPE Foundation, the environment had been adapted to fully meet the needs of the residents. All aspects of the premises were fully accessible, with mobility equipment available if required, and a wheelchair swing in the centre’s garden. 

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

Five non-compliant reports have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. Improvements were required in different areas such as fire safety, managing risk, safeguarding arrangements, infection control, staffing and  notifying incidents to HIQA as required by regulation.

Six non-compliant reports have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. Improvements were required in areas such as staffing, residents’ rights and personal plans, premises, management of risk and notifying incidents to HIQA.

Due to a series of poor findings across a range of centres relating to safety and quality of life for residents, the COPE Foundation was required to implement a six month governance improvement plan. Four non-compliant reports have been published as part of this monitoring programme with the provider. Across these centres, improvements were required in arrangements for upholding residents’ rights, personal possessions, premises, staffing, and notifying incidents to HIQA. Inspectors are continuing to closely monitor the provider’s progress in driving improvement.  

At a centre operated by CoAction West Cork CLG, improvements were required in the arrangements for residents’ personal and support plans. 

A centre operated by Clann Mór Residential and Respite CLG required improvements in managing risk, fire safety, residents’ rights and staffing. Better management of medicines, written policies and residents’ personal plans were required at a centre operated by Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives CLG.

Better measures were required to protect against infection and improve accuracy of records at a centre operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd.

Finally, a centre operated by Delta Centre CLG required improvements in meeting residents’ healthcare needs, fire safety and staff training.

 

Read all reports at the link below.