The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 20 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 15 inspections, including in centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services, Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives, Clann Mór Residential and Respite, and Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. 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 five inspections.

Inspections of nine centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services found that seven centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards. An inspection of one centre found that improvements were required in the areas of fire precautions, and individual assessments and personal plans. During a follow-up inspection of another Brothers of Charity centre, inspectors found that staffing arrangements had not been adequately addressed by the provider, which resulted in a significant impact on the quality of care being provided to residents. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of governance and management; general welfare and development; risk management procedures; individual assessment and personal plan; and residents’ rights.

An inspection report of a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland has also been published. This centre required improvement to its governance and management, as well as its staffing arrangements, which were found to be insufficient. In addition, measures to ensure that residents were protected from abuse were not sufficiently implemented. Further non-compliance was identified in areas including admissions and contract for the provision of services; fire precautions; and individual assessment and personal plan.

An inspection of a centre operated by Cheeverstown House Residential Services found that improvements were required to the centre’s governance and management. This centre was among a number of campus-based centres that were placed on a regulatory plan in 2018. While there were non compliances on this inspection, overall the provider has been found to have taken appropriate measures to improve the lived experience for all of its residents on the campus. 

An inspection of a centre operated by Dundas found that the centre’s governance and management arrangements did not ensure that staffing arrangements could meet the assessed needs of residents at all times; this was negatively affecting residents’ quality of life. In addition, the maintenance of the premises required significant improvement, as certain areas were unclean and others were in a state of disrepair. Further non-compliance was found in areas such as persons in charge arrangements; risk management procedures; fire precautions; healthcare; positive behavioural support; and protection. The provider subsequently submitted plans to close this centre and move the residents to more suitable accommodation.