Disability services publication statement 04 March 2020

Date of publication:

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 19 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Of these 19 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres, including in centres operated by Muiríosa Foundation; Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives; Praxis Care; RehabCare; Resilience Healthcare Limited; SOS Kilkenny Company; St Catherine’s Association Company; and St Hilda’s Services. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 14 centres.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • residents in a Praxis Care centre were observed receiving support in a discreet and respectful manner, and were only in receipt of support when they requested it. Their independence was being encouraged at every opportunity. 
  • in a St Catherine’s Association Company Services centre, a large living room had been converted into a sensory room. A wide variety of sensory equipment was available in the room which allowed children of all abilities to use the space in a safe and enjoyable way. 
  • in a Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams Transforming Lives centre, residents were supported to develop their knowledge of self-awareness and understanding, and to develop skills  for self-care and protection. This has been promoted through resident meetings and positive interactions between staff and each resident.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on five inspections.

An inspection of a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association found that management arrangements in the centre were not ensuring that actions taken to address service deficits were effective in improving the support provided to residents. 

During an inspection of a Nua Healthcare Services centre, HIQA found that the provider was not fully implementing their own measures to improve staff supervision following previous allegations of staff misconduct. 

In a Redwood Extended Care Facility, improvements were required to the arrangements for the safe administration of medication. In addition, the provider was not submitting notifications of specified incidents in the centre to HIQA as required by the regulations. 

An inspection of a Redwood Neurobehavioural Services centre found that improvements were required in positive behaviour support plans and in responding to learning from adverse incidents. 

An inspection of a centre operated by RehabCare found that improvements were required to address oversight of the quality and safety of care delivered to residents, including staffing levels in the centre.