Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 23 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. Inspection reports have been published on centres operated by: Ability West; Avista CLG; Carriglea Cáirde Services; Cheeverstown House CLG; CoAction West Cork CLG; Corlann; Dundas Unlimited Company; Embrace Community Services Ltd; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited and Zamab Care Ltd.

Inspectors found good practice in many of the centres inspected, including:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents loved to plan holidays and breaks away, with a few having spent time in Donegal and Kerry the previous summer. Residents were also very involved in their local community and enjoyed local activities. For example, one resident was an active member of Special Olympics Ireland, while other residents were involved in a recent St. Patrick’s Day parade and the local Tidy Towns group.
• Residents spoke very positively of the service and were regularly involved in decisions about their care at a centre in Clare operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited. One resident described how they liked to spend time relaxing in the house, listening to music, watching television and using their hand-held computer. They also mentioned how they were looking forward to planned day trips as part of their personal goal plans and regularly attended music concerts. They talked about how they liked their bedroom and about their plans to redecorate their bedroom.
• At a centre in Clare operated by Corlann, a resident with an interest in arts and crafts showed the inspector the centre’s living area where staff had set up a specific crafting station for them. The resident spoke about attending art and craft courses each week.

Some centres were required to make improvements to enable the best possible outcomes for residents. Providers of these centres submitted compliance plans outlining the changes they will make following the inspection. These included:

• In response to information received by HIQA, an inspection was carried out of a centre operated by Zamab Care Ltd. An urgent action was issued to the provider to ensure action was taken to address fire safety measures, and the provider submitted a compliance plan noting that all staff would complete the necessary training. Residents were also impacted by incidents occurring within the centre. Due to the significant levels of non-compliance found with the regulations, a cautionary meeting was held with the provider following the inspection.
• An urgent action was issued to Corlann to review fire evacuation measures to protect residents in one centre. In addition, residents were not adequately consulted about the impact of restrictive practices and their rights. In response, the provider committed to adapt the premises and promote residents’ choices.
• A centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG did not have the staffing or skill-mix needed to adequately meet residents’ needs. In addition, residents’ personal plans were not reviewed or adequately supported. The provider was exploring alternative accommodation options for residents.

Editor’s notes:

• 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.