The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 29 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. 

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 23 inspections, including in centres operated by the HSE, Moorehall Disability Services, the Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services, the Peter Bradley Foundation, and Prosper Fingal. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care at the time of inspection. Non-compliance with the regulations and standards was found on six inspections.

Inspections of 15 centres operated by the HSE found that 12 were complying with regulations and standards; non-compliance was identified in three centres. A follow-up inspection of one centre found that a number of issues identified on the previous inspection had not been resolved. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of persons in charge; training and staff development; governance and management; notification of incidents; premises; risk management procedures; individual assessment and personal plan; positive behavioural support; and protection. In another centre, some residents were observed to have long periods of inactivity, residents’ rights were not always upheld, and the premises were not maintained to an acceptable standard. In another HSE centre, inspectors found that the governance and management of the centre did not ensure regulatory compliance, which had a negative effect on residents’ quality of life. Furthermore, risks in relation to the premises which had been identified on a previous inspection had not been mitigated.

A follow-up inspection of a centre operated by Inspire Wellbeing was carried out to determine whether, following a number of serious adverse incidents, the provider’s safety supports and resources were improving the quality of life for residents. Non-compliance was identified in the areas of admissions, and individual assessments and personal plans. 

On an inspection of a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association, inspectors found that governance arrangements were not ensuring that the care and support provided to residents was always safe. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of risk management procedures; fire precautions; individual assessment and personal plan; and positive behavioural support.

An inspection of a centre operated by Redwood Extended Care Facility found that the quality and safety of the service was negatively affected by high levels of adverse incidents. Non-compliance was identified in the areas of risk management, procedures, and protection.