Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 35 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 35 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West, Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Avista CLG and Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents in a centre in Galway operated by Ability West were supported to be independent, with one resident speaking about how they enjoyed working in a local health centre. Residents also had good access to their local community and regularly met up with friends to do activities, such as going for lunch and bowling.
• Residents at a centre in Offaly operated by Avista CLG were supported to take part in activities that they enjoyed, such as fitness classes, horse riding, and mindfulness sessions. Residents’ rights were actively promoted and information on accessing advocacy services was clearly displayed in the centre.
• Residents in a Brothers of Charity Services CLG centre in Kilkenny enjoyed decorating their home to their own tastes and chose the artwork and furniture. The house was bright, colourful and modern as a result, and residents showed inspectors around with pride.  

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 24 inspections.

An inspection of a centre run by Autism Initiatives Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee found non-compliances in a number of areas, and the provider was required to take urgent action in relation to protection against infection. 

Two centres operated by the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG were found non-compliant in the area of governance and management where inspectors were not assured that the provider had adequately resourced the centres to provide effective and safe care to residents. HIQA has published a further 14 inspection reports on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG where non-compliances were identified in areas such as protection against infection, fire precautions, governance and management, residents’ rights, general welfare and development, staffing, complaints and individual assessment and personal plan.

At a centre operated by St Michael’s House, improvements were required in areas such as fire precautions, protection against infection, premises, governance and management, general welfare and development, staffing, training and food and nutrition.

One centre run by Avista CLG was found to be non-compliant in fire precautions, governance and management, staffing and risk management, while another centre operated by the same provider was found to be non-compliant in relation to premises.

A centre operated by An Breacadh Nua was required to make improvements to fire precautions, and an Abode Doorway to Life centre was found to be non-compliant in the arrangements for persons in charge and for notification of incidents.

An Ability West centre was found to be non-compliant in the areas of protection, residents’ rights and notification of incidents.

In a centre operated by Autism Spectrum Association Of Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee, improvements were required in the area of medicines and pharmaceutical services.

Read all reports at the link below.