The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 26 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 21 inspections, including in centres operated by RehabCare, St Hilda’s Services, St John of God Community Services, St Joseph’s Foundation, St Michael’s House, St Paul’s Dromawling, 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.

An inspection of a centre operated by Saint Patrick’s Centre, which was registered with a condition that it be closed by 31 July 2019, found that the standard and quality of care in the centre was not satisfactory. No actions had been implemented to address issues identified on the previous inspection, and there was a general lack of staff supervision. Additional non-compliance was identified in areas including persons in charge; training and staff development; governance and management; admissions and contract for the provision of services; statement of purpose; general welfare and development; premises; risk management procedures; individual assessment and personal plan; protection; and residents' rights.

Inspections of nine centres operated by St John of God Community Services found that eight centres were providing care in line with regulations and standards. Non-compliance was identified in one centre in the area of healthcare.

Also published this morning are six inspection reports on centres operated by St Michael’s House. While four centres were in compliance with regulations and standards, non-compliance was found in two centres. In one centre, inspectors found that governance and management arrangements were not ensuring the quality or safety of the service. Significant levels of non-compliance were found in the areas of staffing, notification of incidents, admissions, and complaints. In addition, significant improvement was required to the centre’s maintenance and decoration. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of general welfare and development; risk management procedures; fire precautions; medicines and pharmaceutical services; individual assessment and personal plan; positive behavioural support; protection; and residents' rights. In another St Michael’s House centre, inspectors identified non-compliance in the areas of notification of incidents; written policies and procedures; personal possessions; protection; and residents' rights.

Inspections of three centres operated by Western Care Association found that two were providing a good standard of care in line with regulations and standards. Non-compliance was identified in one centre in the areas of governance and management; notification of incidents; risk management procedures; and protection.