The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 16 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.

Inspections in four centres found a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including a centre operated by SOS Kilkenny Ltd.

Four reports were published for centres operated by Rehabcare. In one of these centres, the inspector found that the governance and management of the centre did not effectively support the monitoring and management of the service. In another centre operated by this provider, the design and layout of the centre did not meet the needs of residents. In a third centre, the provider had failed to address the actions identified in an engineer’s report in February 2016. In a fourth centre, even though the centre was not yet operational, the inspector found that measures in place to safeguard residents from harm and abuse were inadequate.

Five reports were also published for centres operated by St Hilda’s Services. Two of these centres provided services that, in general, met residents’ needs. However, for three centres, the provider was required to take action to address issues in areas such as protecting residents from the risk of financial abuse, fire safety and the management of complaints.

Two reports were published for centres operated by Nua Healthcare Services. In one of these centres, the inspector found that the quality and safety of care being provided was to a very good standard. In the other centre, improvements were required in relation to fire safety and management.

In a centre operated by the National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired, improvements were required in areas such as safeguarding, healthcare needs and medication management. In a centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation, improvements were required to the fire safety measures in the centre. In a centre operated by Little Angels Association Letterkenny, while significant improvement was found in compliance with the regulations, the inspector found further improvements were required to medication safety. In a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association, the provider was required to take action in relation to issues such as the management of complaints.