The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 19 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 14 inspections, including in centres operated RehabCare, St John of God Community Services, St Michael’s House, Stepping Stones Residential Care, the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, Waterford Intellectual Disability Association, and Western Care Association. 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 five inspections.

Inspections of seven centres operated by RehabCare found that four centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards. One RehabCare centre, however, required improvements to its individual assessments and personal plans, and to its protection policies and practices. In another RehabCare centre, inspectors found that improvements were required to the centre’s governance and management as well as its risk management procedures.

An inspection of another RehabCare centre found that the governance and management of the centre was poor and impacted negatively on residents’ quality of life and safety. Inspectors identified serious risks on this inspection, and issued three immediate actions to the provider. In addition, the provider did not assess residents’ health and social care needs or individual risks. Further non-compliance was identified in areas such as persons in charge; staffing; complaints procedure; personal possessions; premises; food and nutrition; fire precautions; individual assessment and personal plan; positive behavioural support; and protection.

Also published this morning are four reports on centres operated by St John of God Community Services. While three centres were in compliance with the regulations and standards, non-compliance was found in one centre. In this centre, inspectors found that staffing and admissions procedures in the respite unit required improvement, as some residents had been admitted for respite despite it being unsuitable for their needs. Further non-compliance was identified in areas including training and staff development; governance and management; premises; fire precautions; medicines and pharmaceutical services; and individual assessment and personal plan.

An inspection of a centre operated by St Joseph’s Foundation found that residents had not been assessed to determine their needs and abilities in relation to occupational and recreational activities, and that residents’ opportunities to participate in activities according to their interests, capacities and needs were limited. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of admissions and contract for the provision of services, and general welfare and development.