Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 25 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 25 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres operated by a number of providers including; Ability West, Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, and Camphill Communities of Ireland.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents enjoyed participating in a range of activities. One resident spoke about music concerts they were looking forward to attend, including one in Dublin. Residents were involved in cooking meals and decided upon the weekly menu. They had also recently purchased a coffee machine and spoke about how they enjoyed coffee and the different types that they preferred.
• Residents at a centre in Waterford operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG spoke with the inspector about their recent holidays, their families and their interests, such as music. The centre’s routine reflected residents’ needs and choices such as having a morning lie in or the attendance at day services. Residents were further supported to access a range of activities in their local community, as well as drives to a local seaside village for refreshments. 
• At a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland in Wexford, residents spoke about changes to their home and how they liked the new furniture and decoration. Residents also enjoyed going out for coffee and participating in projects such as writing, with one resident collecting items on a recent walk for an art project that they were involved in. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 14 inspections.

Six inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. At one centre, residents were living in a centre that was non-compliant with 10 regulations. The centre was very poorly maintained, with poor cleanliness and hygiene standards, and the provider’s own auditing had not identified the poor conditions that residents were living in. The provider was required to take immediate action to improve the infection control arrangements. Inspectors returned to the centre unannounced three days later to verify that the immediate actions had been completed. A notice of proposed decision to cancel the centre’s registration was issued to the provider following the inspection. The provider has since made representation setting out further planned improvements, as is its right under the Health Act 2007, as amended. Inspectors continue to closely monitor the centre. 

Two other Avista CLG centres required improvements in areas such as staffing, training, positive behaviour support and governance. Finally, at three other centres operated by the same provider, improvements were required in additional areas such as fire safety and the submission of notifications to HIQA.

Five inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. One centre was found to be non-compliant in areas such as staffing and governance and the use of restrictive practices. Given the failure of the provider to adequately address these issues over a series of inspections, the provider was issued with a notice of proposal to cancel the registration of the centre. In line with the Health Act 2007, as amended, the provider made representation and also confirmed that they had received funding to improve the quality of care and support for residents. Inspectors are continuing to monitor this centre to verify that the actions of the provider are having a positive outcome for residents. 

Four other centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG required improvements in fire safety, infection control, governance, and notification of incidents and restrictive practices to HIQA.

Two inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Ability West. At one centre, a resident’s right to privacy and dignity was not being adequately safeguarded. Furthermore, the condition of the building at another centre did not ensure appropriate infection control measures were in place. 

At a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland, improvements were required in the governance of the centre to ensure agreed practices were followed, appropriate infection control arrangements were in place, and to ensure the premises was appropriate to the needs of residents.