Today the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) are publishing 18 reports into centres for adults and children 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 across all disability sectors in Ireland. Today’s reports relate to centres run by the Health Service Executive (HSE), St Michael’s House and Camphill Communities.

Eleven of these reports relate to centres run by the HSE, with five centres based in St Peter’s Services Westmeath. HIQA inspectors undertook a series of inspections in St Peter’s Services in 2015, finding evidence of poor outcomes for residents and areas of risk relating to safeguarding and health and safety. Poor managerial oversight and governance arrangements were also a recurrent finding in these designated centres. Due to the seriousness of the concerns, HIQA issued immediate actions and warning letters. Following on from this, the provider informed the Chief Inspector of their intention to cease the operation of four houses within the region.

Five reports relate to St Michael’s House centres in Dublin with failings in relation to safeguarding and safety found in two of these reports. The other three St Michael’s House centres were found to be in compliance with the regulations.

Two Camphill Community centres were also found to be in major non-compliance in relation to the outcome for Safeguarding and Safety. Further non-compliances related to premises, risk management and notification of incidents.