The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 20 inspections, including in centres operated by S O S Kilkenny Company Ltd, Saint Patrick’s Centre, St Catherine’s Association, St Hilda’s Services Ltd, St Joseph’s Foundation, Steadfast House, the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, and St Michael’s House. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care at the time of inspection. Non-compliance with the regulations and standards was found on four inspections.

Inspections of four centres operated by St John of God Community Services found that two centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards. An inspection of one centre was conducted to follow up on actions required from the previous inspection. This inspection found that some parts of the premises required significant improvement. In addition, the discharge and transition of residents as part of the centre’s decongregation plan were not taking place in a planned and safe manner. An inspection of another St John of God Community Services centre was conducted in response to the provider informing HIQA that the centre was no longer in a position to transition all residents out of the centre by March 2019, and that the centre would not be closed until 2021. The premises were found to be institutional in layout and were judged to be not fit for purpose. Improvements were also required to the centre’s risk management procedures. 

Also published this morning are reports on eight centres operated by St Michael’s House. While seven centres were in compliance with the regulations and standards, non-compliance was identified in one centre. In that inspection, inspectors found that the provider and person in charge were not adequately monitoring the safety and quality of the service. 

An inspection of a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services found that improvements were required to the premises and in the centre’s fire precautions, and in the management of medication.