Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 22 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 22 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 centres, including in centres operated by Delta Centre Company Limited; Dundas Unlimited Company; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; GALRO Unlimited; Health Service Executive (HSE); Kerry Friends and Parents Association; Muiríosa Foundation; North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Peacehaven Trust CLG; Redwood Extended Care Facility Unlimited; and RehabCare. 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 a Muiríosa Foundation centre, warm interactions were observed between staff and residents and there was a pleasant atmosphere of friendliness throughout the centre. Fresh flowers were arranged in the hallway and numerous photos of each of the residents were on display. The residents also had a pet fish and a pet cat who they all seemed to enjoy caring for. 
• Residents in a North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability centre were supported to maintain links with their families and wider community. The inspector was informed that some residents had engaged with their day service via live video sessions and that they enjoyed this interaction.
• In an Enable Ireland Disability Services centre, the atmosphere of the designated centre was calm and relaxing. Residents were observed smiling as they interacted with staff, and all interactions were observed to be respectful in nature. There were good links with families and the community found in this centre.

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

Inspectors found areas of non-compliance in two HSE centres. The area of resident admissions required considerable review to ensure admissions are determined on the basis of transparent criteria, are effectively planned for and take into account the need to protect all residents. 

Inspectors found that safeguarding practices in place in a Nua Healthcare Services centre were ineffective. Given the residents' feedback and a review of records relating to centre admissions, the inspector was not assured that residents’ rights were being upheld. 

An inspection of a Peacehaven Trust centre found that current governance and management arrangements required further improvement. The provider was required to put in place appropriate oversight arrangements for effective positive behaviour support systems to ensure residents’ needs were met to a good standard, managed in line with best practice and followed a human rights framework. 

In a Delta Centre, the inspector was not assured that issues identified were being satisfactorily addressed in a timely manner and found that some risks to residents had not been identified by the provider.

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.