Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 31 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 31 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 centres, including in centres operated by Nua Healthcare Services, Praxis Care, RehabCare, St John of God Community Services CLG, and St Michael’s House.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents in a centre in Offaly operated by Nua Healthcare Services were supported to enjoy social activities in their local community and also participate in educational and work experience opportunities, which were meaningful to them and reflected their interests and goals.
• Residents in a centre in Monaghan operated by RehabCare spoke about how being independent in their community was important to them and this was supported by staff. Residents were also supported to find part-time work, but reflected these opportunities had reduced due to the pandemic. 
• Residents at a centre in Waterford run by Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG were supported to keep links with families and the local community by staff. Residents were also supported to communicate in accordance with their own needs and wishes, which was assisted by some residents having their own mobile phones and access to the Internet. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 14 inspections.

HIQA has published three inspection reports on centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG. In two centres, improvements to the premises were needed to meet residents’ needs, and in the third centre, the provider had failed to appoint a full-time person in charge.

In two centres operated by St Michael’s House, non-compliances were found in the areas of premises, risk management, and training and staff development.      

Non-compliances were identified in two centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG in areas such as fire precautions, protection against infection, premises, and positive behavioural support.

A centre in Tipperary run by the Rehab Group was found to be non-compliant in fire precautions, while a centre in Wicklow run by Peacehaven Trust CLG was non-compliant in individual assessment and care planning. 

A centre in Waterford run by the Peter Bradley Foundation CLG was found to be non-compliant in information submitted for registration purposes and the management of complaints.

In Limerick, non-compliances were identified in two centres. A centre run by St. Gabriel's School and Centre Limited was found to be non-compliant in respect of protection against infection and the directory of residents, while a centre run by RehabCare was non-compliant with in the management of complaints.

Two centres were found to be non-compliant in Kilkenny. In a centre run by S O S Kilkenny CLG, non-compliances were identified in the areas of governance and management, admissions and contract for the provisions of services, and written policies and procedures. In a centre run by Saint Patrick’s Centre (Kilkenny), non-compliances were found relating to personal possessions and written policies and procedures.

Read all reports at the link below.