The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 20 reports on residential services 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 and respite services across all disability services in Ireland.

Of the 20 reports published, 11 of the inspections found that the provider was generally ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations, including three centres operated by St Michael’s House, one centre operated by St Christopher’s Services, and one centre operated by Dundalk Simon Community.

Eleven of today’s reports relate to centres which are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Inspections in six of these centres found evidence of good practice in meeting residents’ care and welfare needs. However, four of the inspection reports relate to HSE centres in the North West. Inspectors found a high level of non-compliance in these centres which was impacting on the safety and quality of life of residents. While inspectors found that, in general, staff were kind and respectful to residents, there continued to be inadequate oversight and management of these services by the HSE to ensure a good quality of service to residents.

In another HSE centre in Kerry, inspectors found that poor management of restrictive practices and institutional staff practices were having a significant impact on the quality of life for residents. Residents had little choice or control over the life they lived. Residents told inspectors about their wishes to transition out of this centre and into supported living in the community. HIQA will continue to monitor these HSE centres closely to ensure that the provider is taking effective action to improve the quality of life for residents.

One report on a centre operated by the COPE Foundation found the provider did not have adequate arrangements in place to oversee the running of the centre and this resulted in some areas of poor practice. In another COPE Foundation centre, opportunities for residents to participate in the community were limited and the design and layout of the premises continued to compromise residents’ privacy and dignity.

Inspectors found that the Offaly Centre for Independent Living had taken action to improve the service since the previous inspection but risk management and medication management arrangements were not adequate, and the provider was required to take immediate action to ensure the safety of residents. While residents were found to be safe, in general, in a centre run by SOS Kilkenny Ltd, inspectors identified a safeguarding risk that had not been assessed or supported.