Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 17 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland.

Of the 17 reports published today, five centres were found to have a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association, Nua Healthcare Services and St Christopher’s Services. However, non-compliance was found in 12 centres.

Reports on two Stewarts Care Limited centres have been published. Notices of proposal to cancel the registration of these two centres had previously been issued, and the provider had submitted representations to HIQA outlining the actions they were taking in response to ongoing regulatory non-compliance. Despite this, insufficient improvement was found on these inspections. Since then HIQA has required the provider to implement a six-month governance improvement plan which is being monitored closely to verify whether the actions of the provider is leading to improvements in the safety and quality of life for residents. 

Four reports have been published on centres operated by St John of God Community Services. Two centres were found to be providing respite care to a good standard with respite users happy with the service provided. A third centre had no person in charge appointed at the time of inspection, which is a breach of regulatory requirements. A fourth centre, located on a campus, had to address significant premises issues as they were deemed not to be fit for purpose. 

Reports on three St Patrick’s Centre (Kilkenny) centres have also been published. Overall, inspectors have found that this provider has made significant improvements to their governance and oversight of their centres, and this has resulted in substantive improvement in the safety and quality of life for residents. Inspectors found that appropriate preparations had been made for a proposed new centre to accommodate residents moving from a congregated setting; however, the provider had failed meet some regulatory requirements in relation to the person in charge.  Inspection of another new community-based centre found that residents’ new home provided them with an improved quality of life. Some further improvements were required in the arrangements for evacuation in the event of an emergency. In the third house, inspectors found that residents had a good quality of life and their rights were being supported and promoted. However, further improvements were required in areas such as risk management, positive behaviour support and auditing of the service. 

Inspectors found that the provider had made significant improvements in the governance and management of a Sunbeam House centre, and this was resulting in better outcomes for residents. In another Sunbeam House centre, inspectors found that there continued to be poor quality care in some areas. However, the provider had made improvements to the management of the centre and inspectors could see that these were beginning to positively impact on effectiveness and safety of care to residents. This centre had previously been issued with a notice of proposal to cancel its registration.

While one centre operated by Peamount Healthcare was found to be delivering care in line with the regulations, an inspection of another centre found that improvements were required to ensure residents’ safeguarding and social care needs were promoted and protected.

Inspectors found that while additional nursing staff had been recruited to meet residents’ needs in a St Joseph’s Foundation centre, further improvement was required to safeguarding and positive behaviour support.