Disability services publication statement 14 April 2022

Date of publication:
Description

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 23 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 23 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 10 centres operated by a number of providers including; St Aidan's Day Care Centre CLG, St Catherine's Association CLG, St Hilda's Services, St Joseph's Foundation, St Michael's House, Stepping Stones Residential Care Limited, Sunbeam House Services CLG, and The Rehab Group.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • At a centre in Wexford operated by St Aidan's Day Care Centre CLG, residents’ views on the care and support they received were actively sought. Residents told the inspector that staff were kind and funny and supported them to enjoy activities such as swimming, going to concerts and the cinema, horse-riding and baking. Residents also completed the provider’s questionnaire on the centre and remarked that they were happy with the care they received, and choices they could make which assisted them to achieve their personal goals. 
  • Residents at a centre in Limerick operated by St Joseph's Foundation expressed their happiness about living at the centre with one resident saying that it was ‘their family and home’. Another resident spoke about moving to the centre following a bereavement, and how this was the right choice for them and staff were very supportive to their needs. 
  • At a centre operated by The Rehab Group in Leitrim, residents were involved in the upkeep of a small garden where they could plant onions, lettuce and cabbage. Residents spoke about activities they enjoyed including the planning of a birthday party, and were also supported to maintain links with their families and the local community. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 13 inspections.

A high level of non-compliance was identified at a centre operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland. Improvements were required in areas such as fire safety, inadequate staffing, residents’ charges, notifying incidents to HIQA, and measures to protect against infection.

Six inspection reports have been published on centres operated by St Michael's House. Non-compliance was recorded across these centres in areas including; infection control, governance, maintenance of the premises, and staffing arrangements.

Three inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited. The provider was required to improve fire precautions in all three centres to ensure residents were safe. Other areas requiring improvement included infection control arrangements, upkeep of the premises and notifying HIQA of incidents. 

Two centres operated by the Rehab Group were found to be non-compliant, one for fire safety arrangements and another centre required improvement to infection control measures.

Finally, a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company was required to make improvements to the maintenance and upkeep of the centre.

Read all reports at the link below.

  • Reports published Thursday 14 April 2022

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