Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 32 inspection reports on infection control in 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. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure robust infection control measures beyond COVID-19, the Chief Inspector of Social Services commenced a programme of targeted inspections to assess registered providers’ compliance with Regulation 27: Protection against infection. The inspection programme aims to promote continuous quality improvement in infection prevention and control, in line with the National Standards for infection prevention and control in community services, (2018), as published by HIQA. 

Inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards across the 32 centres inspected. While only four centres were found to be fully compliant with Regulation 27, a further 19 centres were substantially compliant which indicates they have good infection prevention and control measures in place, but aspects of those controls could be improved further. Nine centres operated by Avista CLG, the COPE Foundation, IRL-IASD CLG, North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, St Hilda's Services, St John of God Community Services CLG, St Joseph's Foundation, St Michael's House, and Sunbeam House Services CLG were found to be non-compliant, which meant that residents were not being adequately protected from the risk of infection. These providers were required to take actions to improve their infection prevention and control arrangements. 

Good practice was observed by inspectors in centres operated by: Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Dara Residential Services, Health Service Executive, KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Muiríosa Foundation, National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired CLG, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, Resilience Healthcare Limited, St Hilda's Services, St John of God Community Services CLG, St Joseph's Foundation, St Michael's House, and the Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice included:

• A provider had identified an infection control lead in the designated centre to provide advice and a coordinated approach.
• Comprehensive infection control checks and auditing arrangements were ongoing.
• Arrangements were in place to ensure staff received up-to-date training and information on infection prevention and control measures. 
• Residents were regularly informed through house meetings and easy-to-read information of any changes relating to infection control at the designated centre.
• Where infections such as COVID-19 had occurred, contingency plans were reviewed and updated with gained learning.

Examples of areas requiring improvement observed by inspectors included:

• Infection control audits were not consistently undertaken and risk assessments were not completed.
• Clear guidance was not available to staff to ensure practices were in line with infection prevention and control good practice, especially in regards the maintenance and cleaning of equipment.
• Staff had not completed up-to-date infection prevention and control training. 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) was not always worn in line with current public health guidelines. 
• Designated centres did not provide sufficient hand sanitising facilities for staff and residents to use.
• The condition of the premises in some designated centres undermined the provider’s ability to protect residents and staff from the risk of infection.

Read all reports at the link below.