Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 22 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. Inspection reports have been published on centres operated by: Camphill Communities of Ireland; Horizons; Inspire Wellbeing CLG; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; and Orchard Community Care Limited.

Inspectors found good practice in many of the centres inspected, including:

• At a centre in Laois operated by Muiríosa Foundation, residents’ rights and wellbeing were promoted through education and training. Some residents accessed their local town independently to meet up with friends and one resident could remain in their home by themselves. One resident received an integrated service, and they enjoyed accessing their community each day and attending sporting events in the evening time. 
• Residents spoke positively of the staff and management at a centre in Kildare operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited. One resident said they were supported through a reduction in restrictive practices which created better living arrangements, and they were very proud of the progress they had made. Another resident spoke about how they were working towards independent living and the goals they were working on to make this happen. They spoke positively about the staffing and management of the centre and how they have been a great support to them.

Some centres were required to make improvements to enable the best possible outcomes for residents. Providers of these centres submitted compliance plans outlining the changes they will make following the inspection. These included:

• Three inspections took place in a centre operated by Dunshane Camphill Communities of Ireland. Due to persistent non-compliance and poor governance by the provider to meet residents’ needs, the Chief Inspector issued a Section 51 Notice of Decision to cancel the centre’s registration. The provider appealed the decision to cancel the centre’s registration as permitted under the Health Act 2007 (as amended). Through an order of the District Court, an additional three restrictive conditions were attached to the registration of the centre. The centre continues to be registered, and the Chief Inspector continues to closely monitor the centre. 
• Incidents impacting upon residents were not investigated or reviewed by Inspire Wellbeing CLG, in line with the provider’s safeguarding policy. In addition, living arrangements did not support residents’ rights and decision-making. Concerns were raised about measures to protect against infection and fire safety. In response, the provider agreed to review all incidents and residents’ living arrangements.
• At a centre operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, an immediate action was issued to the provider to review certain fire containment measures. The measures were reviewed on the day, and a full review was determined to be needed, which the provider scheduled. Fire safety measures in other areas of the centre were of a good standard and staff showed a good understanding of residents’ requirements should an emergency occur. 
• At two centres operated by Horizons, improvements were required in living arrangements to support residents’ rights and in mitigating risks for residents. The provider subsequently issued compliance plans to address these areas.
   

Editor’s notes:

• 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.