The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 25 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.

Of the 25 reports published, 13 of the inspections found that the provider was generally ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations. Compliance was found in one centre operated by each of the following providers: COPE Foundation, Dundas Ltd, North West Parents and Friends Association for Mentally Handicapped Children, Peter Bradley Foundation Limited and Redwood Extended Care Facility.

Seven of today’s reports refer to centres operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Inspections in two centres found evidence of good practice in meeting residents’ care and welfare needs. Five of these reports relate to HSE centres in the North West. Inspectors found that there continued to be inadequate oversight and management of these services by the HSE to ensure a good quality of service to residents. A high level of non-compliance, which could pose a risk to residents’ welfare, was identified in these centres. HIQA will continue to monitor these centres closely to ensure that the provider is taking effective action to improve the quality of life for residents.

A good level of compliance was found in three Brothers of Charity Services centres. Inspectors found that considerable progress had been made in one of these centres since the last inspection in order to meet residents’ needs. However, a number of immediate action plans were issued in one centre to address the identified risks during an inspection. Inadequate measures had been taken to protect and promote the health and safety of residents and staff following a recent incident in this centre.  While there was evidence of good compliance in some areas, the provider was failing to safeguard residents or to meet their social care needs in another centre.

An inspection in one centre operated by Camphill Communities found that the provider had not put systems in place to ensure the regulations were being met. As identified in the inspection report, this had resulted in potential risk and poor quality of care for residents in a number of areas.

Two reports on centres run by Peamount Healthcare have also been published. Inspectors found that in one centre, actions from the previous inspection had not been implemented. While governance and management structures had changed, the centre’s ability to meet residents’ assessed needs had not improved. Major renovation works had been identified as required to another centre operated by this provider in order to comply with the regulations. However, this had not been completed and continued to be at the level of major non-compliance.

Three inspections in services provided by St Michael’s House found that while there was, overall, a good level of compliance in two of these centres, one centre was failing to adequately safeguard residents. Inspectors revisited this centre after eight weeks to ensure revised arrangements had been implemented and were having a positive outcome for residents.

One report relates to a centre operated by St Patrick’s Centre (Kilkenny) Ltd. The provider had applied to register this centre as part of a de-congregation plan for a campus. While the centre was found to be mainly in compliance with the regulations, a number of actions are required to be undertaken by the provider to ensure residents’ rights are upheld. Another report refers to a Sunbeam House Services Limited centre. Improvements were required in this centre in relation to assessing and planning to meet residents’ needs.