Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 28 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.

Of these 28 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 20 centres, including in centres operated by Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services; Dundas Ltd; G.A.L.R.O Limited; Health Service Executive; KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Kingsriver Community Holdings; Little Angels Association Letterkenny; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services; and Peter Bradley Foundation. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 20 centres.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• In a centre, operated by KARE, residents told the inspector that they enjoyed coming for respite with their friends and the inspectors saw that they were being provided with plenty of choices and activities in line with their needs, wishes and preferences. Inspectors observed a positive and comfortable atmosphere. For example, residents were provided with a sensory room which promoted their wellbeing through creative, relaxing and fun activities such as colourful lights, soft seating and a large ball pit.

• residents in a Kingsriver Community Holdings centre enjoyed access to a large garden area with an orchard, vegetable garden, poly tunnels and glass house. To improve access further, the provider was widening the paths to allow residents with a walking stick or in a wheelchair to enjoy the gardens. Residents were observed to live busy and active lives and were supported to engage with their community as much as possible
• in a Little Angels Association Letterkenny centre, residents spoke about goals they were working towards, and how staff helped them to achieve their goals. In some instances, this included support to take positive risks which led to residents becoming more independent in their daily lives.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on eight inspections.

Two inspection reports on one HSE centre have been published today. Following poor findings on the first inspection, inspectors issued an urgent compliance plan in relation to the safeguarding and protection of children and adults. A follow-up inspection found that the provider had taken steps to address many of the negative findings identified on the previous inspection. However, the governance and management of the centre was insufficient in ensuring the needs of some residents were being met. There were resident compatibility issues which were negatively impacting on the wellbeing of residents. While the number of incidents involving residents had reduced, there continued to be significant incidents of violence and aggression directed at staff members.

An inspection of another HSE centre found that that the provider had not ensured that each resident’s privacy and dignity was fully respected at all times.

Two centres operated by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services required improvements to the premises to ensure residents’ needs could be met. One centre was also found to be not compliant with the regulations in areas such as staffing; training and staff development; governance and management; premises; fire precautions; and residents' rights.

An inspection of a centre operated by Peamount Healthcare found there had been a significant improvement in the quality of care and support being provided to residents availing of the services of the centre in the time since the last inspection. However, there remained serious concerns regarding the physical environment of the centre which was found by inspectors to be in a poor state of repair, to be institutionalised and was not fit for use for the provision of residential services. 

Improvements were required in a centre operated by Nua Healthcare to ensure that there were adequate fire containment measures in place. In addition, parts of the premises were in need of repair to address issues with dampness and to ensure all areas of the centre were appropriately maintained..

An inspection of a Peter Bradley centre found that there were several restrictive practices in place and not all had been identified clearly or assessed as restrictions. This prevented an accurate assessment and review of the centre’s restrictive practices.

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.