Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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 21 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including; Dara Residential Services, Dundas Unlimited Company, COPE Foundation, GALRO Unlimited Company, Health Service Executive (HSE) and Nua Healthcare Services Limited. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Kildare operated by Dara Residential Services, residents were supported to enjoy a range of activities which were both meaningful and reflected their personal choices such as scenic walks and drives, yoga classes, kick-box aerobics, cinema trips, cooking and dining out. Residents told the inspector that they were happy living at their home and staff were supportive.
• Residents at a centre operated by GALRO Unlimited Company in Laois were supported to maintain regular contact with their family throughout the pandemic by staff. Residents were engaged in the day-to-day running of the centre with one resident supporting staff with the centre’s regular fire safety checks. The centre also promoted residents’ choices and prior to the inspection, a bouncy castle had been hired for a birthday celebration which residents enjoyed.
• At a centre in Louth operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, residents were supported to decorate the house for Christmas. Residents were also supported to develop their personal interests, with one resident who liked animals, supported to attend a dog grooming course, which had enabled them to secure a work placement working with animals which they enjoyed. 

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

Three inspection reports have been published on centres operated by the HSE. These HSE centres required improvements in the regulations across a number of areas including residents' rights, governance and management, premises, food and nutrition, and infection control. 

Two inspection reports have been published on centres operated by the COPE Foundation. Improvements were required to areas such as staffing, governance and management, residents' rights and positive behavioural support.

An inspection of a centre operated by Inspire Wellbeing CLG found improvements were required in premises and measures to protect against infection.

Non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation in the area of fire precautions.

At a centre operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services, improvements were required to meet regulations in areas such as risk management and fire precautions.

Finally, an urgent action was issued to St Michael’s House due to inadequate protection against infection measures in a centre.

Read all reports at the link below.