The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 25 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 in Ireland.

Today’s reports found that providers were ensuring a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres, including in centres operated by Carriglea Cairde Services, Cheeverstown House Limited, Muíriosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services, Praxis Care and Rehabcare. However, non-compliance and breaches of regulations were found in 13 centres.

In one centre operated by St John of God Services, inspectors found that the provider was failing to safeguard residents. Inspectors were concerned that financial arrangements for residents were not adequate, and that an investigation into this matter by the provider was insufficient. HIQA has required the provider to take further action in relation to this and will continue to monitor progress. Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in two other centres operated by this provider.

Inspections in two centres operated by Ability West found inadequate governance and management arrangements, as the provider failed to ensure oversight and management of risks in these centres.

Six inspection reports for Daughters of Charity centres have also been published. All six inspections found areas of non-compliance and breaches of regulation. In one centre, residents’ rights and dignity were not being upheld, social care needs were not met, and there was insufficient staff to meet the assessed needs of residents. Another centre continued to operate beyond the original date that was agreed between the provider and HIQA to cease operation of the centre. Residents’ needs continued to not be met due to poor health and safety and risk management, and unsuitable premises. An inspection in a third centre run by this provider found that residents were at significant risk due to inadequate risk management and inappropriate reporting and investigating of safeguarding concerns.

Reports on three centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited found that while the standards were generally being met in one centre, evidence of insufficient resources and institutional practices was found in two centres. Both of these centres were failing to meet residents’ social care needs due to staff shortages.

A report on a centre run by The Cheshire Foundation found there was not enough staff to meet residents’ assessed support and social care needs. In another centre operated by this provider, the premises did not meet the mobility needs of residents and residents were not adequately protected from the risk of abuse.