Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 36 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 36 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 20 centres, including in centres operated by St Aidan’s Day Care Centre Company CLG, St Catherine’s Association Company CLG, St John of God Community Services CLG, St Joseph’s Foundation, St Michael’s House, The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, The Rehab Group, and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Regular resident meetings took place in a centre in Mayo operated by Western Care Association, which ensured that residents were consulted about the running of the centre. For example, choosing their meals and the activities they took part in, discussing public health advice and celebrating special occasions.
• Residents at a St Michael’s House centre in Dublin were empowered to look after many of their own responsibilities themselves, such as laundry and general household chores. Residents also decorated the centre to make it feel homely, with personal paintings and framed jigsaws they had completed proudly on display.
• Residents at a centre in Kerry operated by The Rehab Group enjoyed their own particular area of the centre. For example, one resident’s area had drawers with paper and art supplies as they liked to draw, while another resident’s area contained an exercise bike and basketball hoop as they liked to be physically active. Residents were also supported to undertake activities that were beneficial to them, such as social farming.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 16 inspections.

HIQA has published four inspection reports on centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG where non-compliances were identified in areas such as fire precautions, protection against infection, premises, governance and management, residents’ rights, general welfare and development, risk management, food and nutrition, records, staffing, training and staff development, person in charge, written policies and procedures, and admissions and contract for the provision of services. In one centre, inspectors required the provider to take immediate action in relation to fire precautions and in relation to appropriate infection prevention and control measures. 

In five centres operated by St Michael’s House, non-compliances were found in areas such as premises, fire precautions, protection against infection, governance and management, protection, residents’ rights, risk management procedures, personal possessions, staffing, training and staff development, and individual assessment and care plan.

In a centre run by St Hilda’s Services in Westmeath, governance and management required improvement as the safety and quality of service was not being appropriately monitored by the provider.

Two Talbot Care Unlimited Company centres were found to be non-compliant in relation to fire precautions. Non-compliances were identified in two centres run by The Rehab Group in areas such as protection against infection and positive behavioural support. 

A Terra Glen Residential Care Services Limited centre in Wexford was required to make improvements to protect against the risk of infection, and a Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG centre was found to be non-compliant in the areas of fire precautions and healthcare.

Read all reports at the link below.