The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 16 inspection reports on designated 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 for people with disabilities in Ireland.

Inspections found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres, including centres operated by Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare RehabCare, Stepping Stones Residential and St John of God Community Services. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of care and quality of life to residents at the time of inspection.

Four inspection reports have been published on centres provided by St Michael’s House. Three centres were found to be operating in line with the regulations and standards. In another centre, inspectors were not assured that the provider had adequate oversight of the day-to-day management of the centre. Furthermore, incidents of potential abuse were not always recognised as safeguarding issues, and as a result were not being escalated to the relevant person, or reported in line with the requirements of the regulations.

Inspections of two Western Care Association centres have also been published. While inspectors found that one centre was generally meeting residents’ needs, the provider was not ensuring that a quality service that kept residents safe was being provided in another centre. Improvements were required to oversight and governance arrangements.