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 17 centres operated by a number of providers including: the Health Service Executive (HSE); Horizons; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Peter Bradley Foundation CLG; Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. CLG; Resilience Healthcare Limited; Stepping Stones Residential Care Limited; Sunbeam House Services CLG; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group; and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• During the inspection of a centre operated by Horizons in Cork, residents spoke about their friends calling to their home for a cup of tea and a chat. As the centre was wheelchair accessible, residents' friends who also used a wheelchair could visit them easily, which showed that the residents' home was very accessible, catering for their mobility needs now and in the future.
• Residents were supported with personal development objectives which related to work, education and skills development opportunities at a centre in Dublin operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited. One resident had completed their driving theory test and gained their learner permit with the goal of taking driving lessons. Residents had also completed courses in information technology and healthy eating. One resident was also undertaking training to be a barista to gain future employment, while another had a job doing office work.
• At a centre in Meath operated by the Rehab Group, residents liked to grow fruit and vegetables in the centre’s polytunnel during the summer months. Residents also liked to relax in another building to the rear of the centre which was large enough for exercise sessions as well as games nights or discos.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in seven other centres. 

At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, poor governance impacted on residents. An urgent action was issued to the provider, during the inspection, to address an observed risk to residents and residents’ personal plans did not guide staff on how to support their needs. Fire safety measures and staff training also required improvement.

Poor governance impacted on residents at two centres operated by Horizons. Residents were not being supported to achieve their personal goals at one centre while improvement was required in fire safety, staff training and residents’ personal plans in the other centre.

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by the HSE. In one centre, residents’ right to privacy was undermined while fire safety measures and the premises required improvement across both centres.

At a centre operated by the Rehab Group, improvements were required in restrictive practices and fire safety measures to ensure residents’ safety. Finally, better fire safety arrangements were required at a centre operated by Praxis Care.