Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 20 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 20 reports published, 14 inspections found that the provider was generally ensuring a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations. Compliance was found in centres operated by Nua Healthcare Services, Sunbeam House Services Limited, Peter Bradley Foundation Limited, Kingsriver Community Holdings Limited, Redwood Extended Care Facility, and St Michael’s House.

Reports on three centres run by St John of God Community Services Limited have been published. A good level of compliance was found in two of the centres. In another centre, the provider had adequately addressed areas of for improvement that had been identified on a previous inspection.

Six of today’s reports refer to centres operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE). A report on one HSE centre found evidence of good practice in meeting residents’ care and welfare needs, but highlighted a medicines management risk. An inspection in a centre where specific restrictive conditions were in place found that significant improvements had been made since the previous inspection; but further work was required to ensure residents’ healthcare needs were met.

Four reports relate to HSE centres in the North West. Inspectors found further evidence that the provider was not ensuring effective governance, adequate oversight and management of these services. This continued to result in a poor quality of service for residents. A high level of non-compliance relating to residents’ health, safety and welfare was identified in these centres. Since these inspections, HIQA has met with the HSE and has required them to implement an action plan to bring about improvements for residents in these centres. HIQA will continue to monitor centres in the North West closely as part of this process.