The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 18 reports on residential services 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 and respite services in Ireland.                

Ten centres were found to have a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited, Gateway Community Care Limited, KARE, MCC Children’s Services Limited, Muiríosa Foundation and, North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability.

Five reports were published for centres operated by Nua Healthcare. A good standard of practice was found in two centres. However, three reports found areas of non-compliance. In one of these centres, the provider was issued with a notice of decision to refuse the application to increase occupancy, as inspectors determined that there was insufficient communal space, at the time of inspection. In the two other centres, improvements were required to ensure residents were safeguarded.

Two of the reports published today relate to centres operated by GALRO Limited.  One centre was found to provide a service that, in general, met residents’ needs. However, in another centre, the provider was required to take actions to addresses concerns in the area of health, safety and risk management.

Inspectors also identified areas of non-compliance in four reports published today in centres operated by Gateway Community Care Limited, Praxis Care, Gheel Autism Services and Moorehaven Centre. In a report published for a centre operated by Gheel Autism Services, inspectors found that staffing levels did not ensure residents’ needs were being met. Finally, in a centre operated by Moorehaven Centre, the provider was required to make improvements to ensure the quality and safety of care provided was in line with the National Standards and regulations.