Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Of these 24 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West; Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland; Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services; Dundas Unlimited; and the Health Service Executive (HSE). At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 17 centres.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

•  In an Ability West Centre, inspectors found that additional staff resources had been allocated to ensure that residents had a meaningful day. This was very important given that residents could not attend day services and places of employment due to COVID-19 restrictions. 
• The gardens at the front and back of a Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services centre had been decorated with colourful planters and flowers. The person in charge told the inspector that residents had taken part in a gardening competition held by the organisation, where they had won second prize.
• Residents in an Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives centre told inspectors about how staff had helped them with activities and jobs maintaining their home. A resident also spoke proudly about a new living arrangement which they were trialling to improve their independence and how they could make many meals, including a ‘really good Shepard's pie’. 

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

Inspectors found non-compliance with the regulations and standards in three HSE centres, including issues relating to governance and management, the oversight of restrictive practices and protecting residents from safeguarding risks. 

Inspectors found non-compliance in three Brothers of Charity centres in relation to fire precautions, governance and management, protection against infection and positive behavioural support. Furthermore, the provider had not ensured that all restrictive practices were reviewed and that these were in the best interest of residents. 

An inspection of a centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG found continuity of care and support provided to residents was negatively impacted by a reliance on agency staff and a high rate of staffing changes. 

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.