Disability services publication statement 4 February 2019

Date of publication:

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. 

Inspections found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres, including centres operated by Stepping Stones Residential Care Limited, The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, The Children’s Sunshine Home, Waterford Intellectual Disability Association, and Western Care Association. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of care and quality of life to residents at the time of inspection. However, non-compliance with regulations and standards was identified in five inspections. 

Reports on four centres operated by Nua Healthcare have been published. While three services were found to be in compliance with the regulations and standards, non-compliance was identified in one centre. In this centre, inspectors identified improvements that were required in relation to positive behavioural support; temporary absence, transition and discharge of residents; medicines and pharmaceutical services; and residents’ rights. This centre was scheduled to be closed by December 2018. 

Inspections of three centres operated by St Michael’s House found that two centres were in compliance with the regulations and standards. In the third centre, inspectors found that there were insufficient numbers of staff to accommodate staff leave and that the centre was over-reliant on relief or agency staff. Inspectors also identified that the centre’s shower facilities were not sufficient to meet the needs of residents.

Also published this morning are reports on 12 centres operated by St John of God Community Services. While nine centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards, non-compliance was identified in three centres. One centre required minor improvements to the premises, and inspectors found that a safeguarding concern had not been appropriately concluded. In another centre, inspectors identified non-compliance in areas such as staffing levels; governance and management; safeguarding; and residents’ rights. A follow-up inspection of another centre following a HIQA notice of proposal to cancel its registration identified non-compliance relating to the premises and found that the individual assessments and personal plans for several residents had not been adhered to.