The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 27 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 23 inspections, including in centres operated by the Brothers of Charity Services; Cheshire Ireland; COPE Foundation; Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services; Enable Ireland Disability Services; G.A.L.R.O. Limited; Gheel Autism Services; Health Service Executive; KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; and L’Arche Ireland. 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 seven centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services found that six were complying with regulations and standards. Non-compliance was identified in one centre in regards risk management procedures.

An inspection in a Camphill Communities of Ireland centre was carried out to follow up on safeguarding concerns. While inspectors did not identify any immediate risk to residents at the time of the inspection, the provider was required to make improvements to the arrangements to protect residents from safeguarding risks and there was a requirement to improve the overall management and oversight of the centre. 

Reports on five centres operated by COPE Foundation have also been published. Four centres were found to be meeting residents’ needs and providing safe and good quality care. In another centre, improvements were required in infection control, residents’ rights and managing complaints. The compliance plan submitted by the provider did not adequately assure HIQA that the proposed actions will address the non-compliances. Inspectors will continue to monitor how the provider will bring themselves into compliance.

Inspections in three Daughters of Charity centres found that residents’ needs were being met in line with the regulations and standards. In a fourth centre based on a campus, inspectors found that governance and management arrangements were failing to act on key concerns and this was negatively impacting on residents’ experience of the service.