Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 24 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 24 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres operated by a number of providers including; Ability West, Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Carriglea Cáirde Services, Dundas Unlimited Company, Health Service Executive (HSE), and Kerry Parents and Friends Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents were actively involved in their local community and the day-to-day running of the centre. Residents were supported to make decisions about their home and daily plans through the use of a range of communication aids such as visual rosters, sign language and communication boards. Residents’ rights were further promoted as one resident was the centre's ‘Advocacy Champion’ and attended a range of meetings where they expressed their peers’ views on the service they received. 
• At a centre in Meath operated by Dundas Unlimited Company, residents were keen to speak to the inspector about activities they had been involved in to celebrate Halloween, which included making pumpkins. Residents also took pride in showing their bedrooms to the inspector, and one of the bathrooms had been adapted recently to better meet one resident’s needs. Residents spoke about activities they enjoyed, with one resident being involved in a local social farming programme.
• Residents at a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, were very knowledgeable about their rights and spoke about how they made choices about their lives, voiced their opinions on the service they received and were involved in the day-to-day running of the centre. Furthermore, the inspector observed that staff behaviour and language used during the day was reflective of a culture which promoted residents’ rights. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 10 inspections.

Inspections completed in designated centres provided by the HSE in Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (CHO1) following a targeted safeguarding programme in January 2022, found that although improvements had occurred, improvements were required in staffing and governance. An urgent action was issued to the provider to improve fire safety measures at one centre.

A high level of non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association. An urgent action was issued to the provider due to the condition of the premises which also impacted on measures to protect residents from infection. In addition, improvements were required in residents’ rights, personal planning, management of complaints and staff training.

Three urgent actions were issued to a centre operated by the COPE Foundation due to fire safety, insufficient cleaning and residents’ personal plans. Further improvements were required in residents’ activities, staffing and training.

Two reports with non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. Improvements were required in different areas such as staffing, governance, risk management and medication arrangements.

At a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland, non-compliance was identified in governance and the centre’s premises.

Improvements were required in residents’ personal plans and supports, and overall governance at a centre operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited.

At a centre operated by Avista CLG, improvements were required in residents’ personal plans and rights.  
Finally, more effective staffing arrangements were required at a centre operated by Dundas Unlimited Company.

Read all reports at the link below.