The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 24 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 19 inspections, including in centres operated by SOS Kilkenny, Stewarts Care, St Aidan’s Day Care Centre, St Hilda’s Services, St Paul’s Child and Family Care Centre, Sunbeam House, the Cheshire Foundation Ireland, Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability, Waterford Intellectual Disability Association, and Western Care Association. 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 four centres operated by St John of God Community Services found that two centres were providing a good standard of care in line with regulations and standards. In another centre, inspectors found that residents’ quality of life was negatively impacted by shortcomings in the centre’s governance and management; significant improvements were required in the areas of premises, protection against infection, and medicines management. Another St John of God centre was issued with a notice of proposed decision to cancel the renewal of the centre’s registration due to a high level of non-compliance identified in this centre in areas such as staffing levels; training and staff development; governance and management; suitability of the premises; risk management procedures; and fire precautions. A follow-up inspection of this centre confirmed that appropriate measures had been taken address the issues previously identified. 

Inspections of four centres operated by St Michael’s House found that two were in compliance with the regulations and standards. In another centre, inspectors identified non-compliance in areas including staffing; training and staff development; risk management procedures; fire precautions; and medicines and pharmaceutical services. In another St Michael’s House centre, inspectors found an absence of appropriate governance and oversight in the centre. Further non-compliance was found in areas such as notification of incidents; training and staff development; governance and management; risk management procedures; fire precautions; medicines and pharmaceutical services; individual assessment and personal plan; and protection.

An inspection of a centre operated by St Joseph’s Foundation found that the governance arrangements for the centre were not sufficient to consistently ensure that residents received a good-quality and safe service. Additional non-compliance was identified in the areas of fire precautions; individual assessment and personal plan; positive behavioural support; and protection.