Disability publication statement 24 July 2017

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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. 

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards in nine centres, including centres operated by Saint Patricks Centre (Kilkenny) and Victoria Healthcare Organisation Limited.

Four reports relate to four centres operated by The Cheshire Foundation of Ireland. An inspection found that one centre was generally in compliance with the regulations and standards. However, significant non-compliance was found in two centres which was having a negative impact on residents’ care and support. HIQA had previously issued notices of proposal to refuse and cancel the registration of both centres. A second inspection in one centre found that improvements were made which had a positive effect on residents’ experiences. 

Inspections in five St John of God Community Services centres have also been published. Three reports show that the provider was generally meeting the needs of residents. In one of these centres, the provider had addressed the concerns raised by HIQA since the previous inspection and was now providing care in compliance with the regulations and standards. However, risks to residents’ safety were identified in two centres. Inspectors raised concerns over the provider’s ability to implement effective safeguarding and risk management practices in one centre. In the other centre, inadequate staffing and poor risk management were among the six major non-compliances identified during this inspection. 

Four reports relate to centres operated by Rehabcare. While inspectors found that two centres were operating in compliance with the regulations and standards, two inspections in another centre found that the provider was failing to meet residents’ healthcare needs.  

Four reports have been published for centres operated by St Michael’s House. Two centres run by the provider were found to meet the needs of residents in line with the standards. However, inspectors found poor medicines management and fire evacuation practice in the other two centres.

One report relates to a Waterford Intellectual Disability Association centre. While a number of improvements were required in areas such as fire safety and medicines management on this inspection, the provider adequately addressed these issues in their action plan response.

One report was published on a centre operated by St Christopher’s Service Company. Inspectors found that residents’ finances were not being managed in line with the organisation’s own policies and this was placing residents at risk of abuse.