Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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 21 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 16 centres, including in centres operated by Dundas Unlimited; Health Service Executive; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Peter Bradley Foundation; Praxis Care; and RehabCare. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 16 centres. 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• In a Peter Bradley Foundation centre, there were good examples of the provider consulting with residents and with their families and using the information to improve the service to residents. They were undertaking annual surveys with residents and their families on different aspects of the service including staffing, complaints management, premises, and dignity and respect. 
• Staff in a Nua Healthcare Services centre had successfully found a school placement for a child in the local area upon their local admission. Staff kept in close contact with the school and worked with them in addressing any concerns raised. As this inspection took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, staff had supported the children to keep in contact with the school and complete any school work assigned.
• Residents in a HSE centre had moved from a congregated setting in June 2020, and the inspector found that residents had settled well into their new home. During the transition period, residents were supported to visit their new home and be involved in decision making about the layout and décor of their new home.  

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

Inspectors found non-compliance with the regulations and standards in four HSE centres, including issues relating to governance and management, positive behavioural support and protection. Three centres were failing to provide a safe and suitable environment that met residents’ needs. These three centres did not ensure that the least restrictive practice procedures were in use at all times. 

An inspection of another HSE centre found that fire safety arrangements required improvement, specifically in relation to the containment of fire. 

In a Nua Healthcare centre, despite a good level of oversight arrangements put in place by the person in charge, the system to address an ongoing staffing issue in the centre required improvement. 

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.