Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 17 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 17 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 13 centres, including in centres operated by Inspire Wellbeing Company; KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; L'Arche Ireland – Kilkenny (An Solas/Chalets); MMC Children’s Services; Nua Healthcare Services; Redwood Extended Care Facility; RehabCare;  St John of God Community Services; St. Michael’s House; Waterford Intellectual Disability Association and Western Care Association. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 13 centres. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• In a Waterford Intellectual Disability Association centre, a weekly newspaper had commenced to keep everyone in touch. There was a 'bake off' in the house each week and this was a source of fun, as well as being a social interaction. Photographs of the baked goods were included in the newsletter, and this was something that everyone enjoyed reading about.
• The capacity and capability of an Inspire Wellbeing centre had been enhanced through the strengthening of governance and management arrangements. This led to improved residents’ experiences as team leaders were promoting more inclusion of residents' views into day-to-day decisions and promoting a more person-centred approach to care and support. 
• Residents in a L'Arche Ireland Kilkenny centre were eager to talk to inspectors about how their life had positively improved in the service. One resident described how prior to living in the centre, they had very few friends but now they had many friends.

Inspectors found non-compliance with the regulations and standards in four centres. 

A report on St Mary’s Centre (Telford) has been published. On Friday 24 July 2020, the Chief Inspector was informed that the providers of the centre sought and had been granted a High Court order for the appointment of interim liquidators to the company. HIQA immediately sought assurances that there were adequate resources and staff in the centre for the weekend and conducted an inspection, focused on the impact for residents and the overall management of the centre, on 28 July 2020. Inspectors found that residents were very distressed and were worried about their apartments. Inspectors also found that the provider had not consulted with residents or given them information about the appointment of liquidators. A number of non-compliances were identified in areas such as oversight of the centre and fire evacuation arrangements. Inspectors required the liquidators to take immediate action in relation to areas of concern. Inspectors continue to monitor this centre closely.

Inspections in a St John of God Community Services centre and a Nua Healthcare Centre found safeguarding and compatibility issues were impacting on residents’ rights and quality of life. In a second Nua Healthcare Services centre, the inspector observed that the use of PPE was not in line with COVID-19 protection against infection control measures. 

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.