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 generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 10 centres operated by a number of providers including; Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Camphill Communities of Ireland, Embrace Community Services Ltd, and Health Service Executive (HSE).

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Limerick operated by Avista CLG, residents were very happy with their home. Residents spoke about activities they were supported with by staff, including one resident who proudly showed a photograph of them graduating from a human rights course they had completed at a local university. Residents also enthusiastically spoke about a holiday they had recently been on which involved travelling on a ferry and visiting a lighthouse.  
• At a centre in Galway operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents had access to a large well-maintained garden and patio area at the rear of the house, which included sensory flower beds, outdoor furniture and a polytunnel. Residents were also supported to enjoy a range of activities, such as going out for meals, walks and visiting places of interest, with some residents recently attending the Galway races, a local motoring event and visiting the Knock shrine.
• Residents at a centre in Kilkenny operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland spoke about activities which they enjoyed, such as going to music concerts, arts and crafts, going for coffee with friends and planning holidays. One resident also told inspectors about how they were looking forward to moving to a new home in the near future. 

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

Five reports have been published on non-compliant centres operated by the HSE. In three centres, improvements were required in different areas, such as measures to protect against infection, safeguarding and premises.  

Two of the reports relate to HSE centres located in Donegal. These inspections were part of a planned inspection programme for 2022 following the targeted safeguarding inspection programme which was completed in HSE operated centres in Donegal in January 2022. Overall, inspectors found that the HSE were making progress on their programme to improve the governance and safeguarding in their centres, but further improvement were required in areas such as residents’ rights, safeguarding and notifying incidents to HIQA as required by the regulations.

Four reports with non-compliance were published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. A high level of non-compliance was identified at one centre due to fire safety, training, managing residents’ finances, and in ensuring residents’ wellbeing. At three other centres, improvements were required in different areas such as fire safety, premises and measures to protect against infection.

Two reports have been published on centres operated by COPE Foundation. An urgent action was issued at one centre due to staff training, while in another centre better measures to protect against infection were required. 

Three reports have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. Improvements were required across these centres in areas such as fire safety, staffing, managing incidents, and the suitability of the premises for residents.

Finally, improvements were required in measures to protect against infection at a centre operated by Ability West.

Read all reports at the link below.