The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 18 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.

On inspection of 10 centres, a good level of compliance was found with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Muiríosa Foundation, Ability West and Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited.    

Two reports were published for centres operated by the COPE foundation. In one of these centres, the inspector found that the quality and safety of care provided was of a good standard. However, while there was evidence of good practice in the other centre, there were issues in relation to the management of restrictive practices, governance arrangements and meeting the assessed needs of residents.

Two reports were also published for centres operated by the Brothers of Charity. One centre showed a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards. In the second centre the inspector found evidence of good practice. However, to meet the residents’ needs the provider needed to take action in areas including governance, medication management and fire safety.

Five reports were published on centres operated by the Daughters of Charity. In three centres a good level of compliance was found. However, issues to be addressed in the other centres included meeting the assessed needs of residents, management of risk, safeguarding, governance and medication management.

One of the reports being published relates to an inspection of St Vincent’s Centre which had been issued with a notice of proposal to cancel their registration. Insufficient improvements had been made by the provider to improve the quality of care to residents and to bring the centre into compliance with the regulations and standards. As a result of this continued non-compliance the Office of the Chief Inspector issued a notice of decision to cancel and refuse the registration of this centre and the HSE has subsequently taken over the operation of this centre.

Two of the reports relate to a centre operated by Cork Association for Autism which found significant shortcomings in areas such as meeting the assessed needs of residents, risk management, medication management, fire safety and staff training. Due to the continued non-compliance with the regulations and standards a notice of proposal to cancel and refuse the registration of the centre was issued to the provider.

In a report published for one centre operated by the Catholic Institute for Deaf People, the provider was required to take action in areas for residents’ care and goal plans, control and prevention of infection, staff training and management systems.