Disability services publication statement 10 October 2019

Date of publication:

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 18 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 18 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres, including in centres operated by Health Service Executive (HSE); Kerry Parents and Friends Association; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; and Peter Bradley Foundation. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 11 centres.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • residents were supported to set and achieve goals in a HSE centre. For example, attending a football match at the weekend, going abroad and visiting a brewery. 
  • residents who used non-verbal communication were being supported to choose activities through the use of visual aid choice boards in a HSE centre.
  • residents in a Peter Bradley Foundation centre told inspectors that they were supported to take part in activities of their choice, such as having lunch in the local town and attending computer courses.
  • in a Muiríosa Foundation centre, each resident had decorated their bedroom in accordance with their wishes, such as being supported to choose the colour of the paint on the walls.
  • residents were involved in developing their care plans in a Kerry Parents and Friends Association centre. Plans outlined each resident’s daily life, as well as their hopes and goals. Residents were supported to make decisions about their care. 

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

In a HSE centre, inspectors found that an action from a previous inspection to provide a more suitable and individualised home to residents remained outstanding. In two other centres, the HSE was required to take further action to ensure the safety of residents at all time. 

Further fire safety measures were required in a centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation. While residents in a Peamount Healthcare centre were safe, the care being provided was institutional in nature and not person centred. 

Formalised and strengthened governance and management arrangements were required in a National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired centre. Parts of a Redwood Extended Care centre were found to be unclean and in a poor state of repair at the time of inspection.

All reports and compliance plans are available on www.hiqa.ie.