Disability publication statement 24 August 2017

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 17 reports on residential 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 in Ireland.

Inspections in nine centres found a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Steadfast House Limited, An Breacadh Nua, Redwood Extended Care Facility and Redwood Neurobehavioural Services Limited.

Five reports were published for centres operated by the Brothers of Charity. Three centres were found to provide a service that in general met the residents’ needs. In one centre operated by this provider, following escalated regulatory action, significant improvements had been made. In another centre, inspectors found that further actions were required in the areas of safeguarding and safety.

Eight of the reports published today relate to centres operated by the HSE in the northwest of the country. In December 2016, in response to findings of high levels of non-compliance and poor standards of service for residents in a range of HSE centres in the northwest, the HSE National Director was required to submit a governance plan to the Chief Inspector of Social Services in HIQA. That plan set out how the HSE was going to ensure that the quality of service provided to residents in this area would be improved. HIQA has been undertaking a programme of inspections to verify whether the actions taken have been effective in improving the quality of life for residents in those services.

Inspectors found evidence of good practice in two of the HSE centres. In the other centres, inspectors identified issues with Garda Síochána (police) vetting disclosures which are an important aspect of safeguarding. Other issues included the arrangements of managing significant health issues, and the provision of appropriate support and training for residents who were due to transition to other services.