Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 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 27 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres operated by a number of providers including; St John of God Community Services CLG, St Michael's House, St. Paul's Child and Family Care Centre Designated Activity Company, Stewarts Care Limited, The Anne Sullivan Centre CLG, The Rehab Group, Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG, and Western Care Association.
Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

At a centre in Louth operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, residents were active in their community. Residents were involved in training for the Special Olympics, as well as going on planned hotel breaks which included attending country music events or celebrating their birthday.
 At a centre in Dublin operated by St Michael's House, residents were supported to independently travel to their day services and participate in a range of activities linked to their personal goals. Residents were supported to achieve goals such as going swimming and attending appointments at local hair salons which they enjoyed.
At a centre operated by Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG in Waterford, residents took pride in showing the inspector their bedrooms before they left for the day’s activities. Residents’ bedrooms were personalised to reflect their interests and needs, also well as decorated with personal photographs and artwork. One resident had a pet dog which was much loved and cared for by all the residents at the centre.
Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 13 inspections.

An urgent action was required at a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG due to the poor levels of cleanliness and maintenance issues. In addition, not all incidents had been notified to HIQA as required under the regulations, and repeated behavioural incidents had an impact on residents’ quality of life.

Four inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited. Urgent action was required at one centre due to the condition of the premises. Non-compliance was also identified at three other centres in areas such as fire safety, premises, infection control, staffing and training.

Three inspection reports have been published on centres operated by St Michael’s House. An urgent action was issued to the provider due to insufficient measures to protect against infection, including the incorrect use of personal protective equipment and the condition of some fixtures at the centre. Non-compliance was identified at two other centres in areas such as infection prevention and control arrangements, and staff training. 

In three different centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, issues were identified on the condition of the premises, and the provider was required to make improvements in these centres to improve the quality of life of residents. 

Non-compliance was identified in admission arrangements at a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company.

Finally, improvements were required to infection control arrangements at a centre operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland.

Read all reports at the link below.