The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 25 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Inspections found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres, including centres operated by the Cumas New Ross, Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services, G.A.L.R.O. Limited, HSE, L’Arche Ireland, KARE, Muiríosa Foundation, North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, and Nua Healthcare Services. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of care and quality of life to residents at the time of inspection.

However, in an inspection of a centre operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services, inspectors found that the registered provider had not ensured that concerns raised by staff regarding the quality and safety of the service were addressed by the provider in a timely manner. Furthermore, improvements were required to identify responsibility and accountability regarding implementing and adhering to action plans.

Inspections of 11 centres operated by the HSE found that eight centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards. However, improvements were required in three centres including in the areas of appropriate safeguarding arrangements, management of restrictive practices, medication management, the arrangements for the person in charge to carry out required duties, staffing levels and fire precautions. 

A centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation required improvements in the keeping of residents’ financial records and in the maintenance of one of the centre’s locations.

An inspection of a centre operated by the National Association of Housing for the Visually Impaired found that the provider failed to demonstrate their capacity to consistently oversee the effective operation of the centre and, as such, the Chief Inspector issued the provider with a notice of proposal to refuse the renewal of the centre’s registration. Areas requiring improvement in this centre included individual assessments and personal plans; healthcare; positive behavioural support; and arrangements to protect residents from the risk of abuse.