Disability services publication statement 14 September 2021

Date of publication:
  • Reports published Tuesday 14 September 2021

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Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 26 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 26 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 15 centres operated by a number of providers including; Health Service Executive (HSE), St Michael's House, The Rehab Group and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • At a centre in Sligo, operated by the HSE, residents were supported to celebrate key events such as birthdays and each resident had their own mobile phone which assisted them to maintain links with families and friends even when visiting arrangements were restricted due to COVID-19.
  • Staff in a Dublin centre operated by St Michael’s House promoted a resident to express their needs through a combination of body language and agreed phrases, which had a positive impact on their quality of life. 
  • At a Rehab Group centre in Louth, residents were supported to express personal choices through decisions they made on their daily routines, activities, weekly meal planning and what holidays they wished to go on.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 11 inspections.  

HIQA has published six inspection reports on centres operated by the HSE where non-compliance was identified. In these centres, improvements were required in the areas such as; residents’ rights, general welfare and development, premises, food and nutrition, governance and management, visits, individual assessment and personal plan, as well as positive behavioural support.

At two centres operated by St Michael’s House, non-compliance was identified in areas such as governance and management, complaints procedure, individual assessment and care plan, and protection.
Inspectors identified non-compliance in fire precautions at a centre operated by the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland and in staffing at a Western Care Association centre. 

In a Rehab Group centre in Louth, the provider was issued with an urgent action to ensure public health guidelines were followed.