Read the published reports (PDF, 128.65 KB)

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. Inspection reports have been published on centres operated by: Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Orchard Community Care Limited; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St Michael's House; Sunbeam House Services CLG; The Rehab Group; Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG; and Western Care Association.

Inspectors found good practice in many of the centres inspected, including:

• Residents were happy with their living arrangements at a centre in Laois operated by Muiríosa Foundation. After getting up, one resident joked and chatted freely with the inspector and staff. They talked about their family and how they go to visit them every year in Kerry and this year they had stayed in a hotel, which they loved. They told the inspector that they liked walking into the local town and suggested a nice cafe to the inspector for lunch. 
• Significant improvements following a previous inspection were observed at a centre in Donegal operated by the Rehab Group. The provider had recruited a person in charge who had strong knowledge of the residents, and the service and the team leader structure was enhanced which meant that there was a team leader present during weekdays and weekends. Staff were skilled and knowledgeable and spoke about delivering a person-centred and rights-based service which focused on each person as an individual and of the service as their home. 
   

Some centres were required to make improvements to enable the best possible outcomes for residents. Providers of these centres submitted compliance plans outlining the changes they will make following the inspection. These included:

• Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Orchard Community Care Limited. Several significant incidents had occurred in the centre and the provider’s risk assessment systems were inadequate. In addition, concerns were raised about the failure to safeguard residents’ finances, including substantive expenditure incurred by a resident. In response, the provider’s person in charge undertook to review all incidents and ensure that risks are appropriately identified and recorded. In addition, safeguarding residents’ finances would be highlighted at team meetings to ensure staff awareness of protective measures. 
• Staffing arrangements at a centre operated by Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG impacted residents’ access to activities and their development. For example, all residents had to travel in the centre’s vehicle if one resident needed to visit the local community. If one resident wished to go for a walk, the other residents needed to take part in the walk to allow this to happen. In response, the provider’s person in charge agreed to prioritise social activities and support staffing resources.
   

Editor’s notes:

• 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.