Disability publication statement 30 August 2017

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 20 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 10 centres found a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Moorehall Disability Services, the Peter Bradley Foundation and Clann Mór Residential and Respite.

Five reports have been published for centres operated by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. Three centres were found to provide a service that, in general, met residents’ needs. In one centre, inspectors issued an immediate action in the area of fire safety. In another centre, the provider was required to ensure that residents’ rights and dignity were fully respected at all times.

Reports on five centres operated by Nua Healthcare Services have also been published today. A good standard of practice was found in three of these centres. One report refers to a newly built centre which was not yet operational but which inspectors found fully compliant in relation to plans to admit residents. In another centre, inspectors found that the governance and management systems had not ensured the delivery of a safe and quality service.

Three reports refer to centres operated by Peamount Healthcare. Inspectors found that the quality and safety of care being provided in one of these centres was of a very good standard. In one centre, inspectors found that some minor improvements were needed in the design and layout of the premises. In another centre, inspectors identified issues in areas such as the management of medicines and residents’ finances.

Two reports relate to Ability West centres. Inspectors found a good level of compliance in one centre. However, in the second centre, the provider was required to take action in relation to the management of medicines and in relation to submitting required notifications to HIQA.

Two reports were published for centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited. In one centre, inspectors found that the service was providing a good quality of life for the residents in general. In the second centre, inspectors identified that arrangements were not adequate to manage the risks to residents’ wellbeing.