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 four centres operated by a number of providers including; Ability West, Autism Initiatives Ireland, and Brothers of Charity Services Ireland.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents’ rights were actively promoted and they were fully involved in the running of their home. Regular house meetings facilitated residents to make choices as well as be informed about how to make a compliant, fire safety arrangements and the centre’s response to COVID-19. Residents had also been supported to develop their own centre specific charter of rights which promoted their right to privacy, respect and independence.
• Residents at a centre operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland in Galway were supported to enjoy a range of home and community activities and to maintain their contact with families. One resident was supported to have their own spacious enclosed garden area which contained edible plants. While another resident was supported to enjoy their interest in music in their own bedroom. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 17 inspections. 

Nine inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland. In one centre, non-compliance was identified in seven areas, including governance and management, staffing, premises, risk management procedures, fire precautions, infection control, and protection. In eight other centres, improvements were required in regulations such as; premises, medication, fire precautions, protection against infection, governance and management, staffing, and general welfare and development.

Three inspections reports have been published on centres operated by Avista, previously registered as Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. These three centres did not meet the regulations in a range of areas including; governance and management, premises, notification of incidents, infection control, positive behavioural support, general welfare and development, and residents' rights.

Inspectors found that insufficient resources were provided in a centre operated by Cheeverstown House in order to meet residents’ needs. 

Two inspections on centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland identified non-compliance in areas including healthcare, staffing, governance and management and notification of incidents.

Non-compliance in the areas of staffing, governance and management, infection control, and premises was identified during an inspection at a centre operated by Barrow Valley Enterprise for Adult Members with Special Needs.

Finally, at a centre operated by Co Wexford Community Workshop (Enniscorthy), improvements were required in fire precautions and staffing. 

Read all reports at the link below.