Disability services publication statement 22 July 2022

Date of publication:

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 11 centres operated by a number of providers including; St John of God Community Services Company Limited By Guarantee; St Michael's House; Stewarts Care Limited; and The Rehab Group.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • At a centre in Louth operated by St John of God Community Services Company Limited By Guarantee, residents made decisions about their own care and were supported with positive risk-taking, allowing them to lead active and fulfilling lives. Residents were also supported by staff to grow fruit and vegetables, which were used in meals in the centre. One resident was able to achieve one of their personal goals by participating in a modelling event.
  • Residents at a centre in Dublin operated by Stewarts Care Limited expressed satisfaction with the care and supports they received in the centre. They were able to spend time in the large garden, which had outdoor furniture and a barbeque for use during nice weather, and also had a range of sporting equipment to use, such as basketball hoops and outdoor swings. Residents were also supported to access a range of activities outside of the centre.
  • At a centre in Galway operated by The Rehab Group, residents were supported to decorate their own living space to their own tastes and preferences. Residents led active lifestyles and regularly accessed the local community independently to attend their jobs and do their shopping.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 15 inspections.

Non-compliance was found in four centres operated by St Michael’s House. Inspectors found that one centre had failed to protect residents from abuse and was issued an urgent action plan to address this failure. In addition, residents told inspectors that they did not have the freedom to exercise control over their lives. In another centre, improvements were required to ensure that all residents had ownership of their own finances. One centre needed to improve its premises and protection against infection measures, while improvements were required in relation to individual assessment and personal plans in the fourth centre. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance in four centres run by St John of God Community Services Company Limited By Guarantee. Two centres were required to improve to their premises to improve residents’ quality of life, while the other two centres were non-compliant with admissions and contract for the provision of services. One centre also needed to improve in terms of governance and management and protection against infection. 

In five reports published on centres operated by Stewarts Care Limited, improvements were needed in relation to fire precautions, protection against infection, training and staff development, individual assessment and personal plan, and communication.

In a Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny) centre, improvements relating to the timely response to safeguarding incidents were required to ensure residents were safe at all times. The provider was also required to ensure that all staff received supervision in line with its policy. 

An inspection of a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services Company Limited by Guarantee found that the centre did not have adequate fire precaution and evacuation procedures in place for residents, and risk management procedures required improvement.

Read all reports at the link below.

  • Reports published Friday 22 July

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