Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 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 28 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 16 centres operated by Nua Healthcare Services, RehabCare, St John of God Community Services, Peter Bradley Foundation and the Muiríosa Foundation.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Mayo operated by RehabCare, residents told the inspector about how they were supported to be independent. One resident spoke about  how they liked walking on their own to their day service and  how they had their own front door key and liked returning home in the evenings and unlocking their own front door.
• At a St John of God Community Services centre in Co. Louth, residents told the inspector about what they did during the week, and how they enjoyed activities such as online classes in yoga and line dancing, as well as other activities such as baking, arts and crafts and gardening.
• In a Dublin centre operated by the Peter Bradley Foundation, residents’ cultural differences were both supported and celebrated. One resident was supported by a key worker from their own cultural background as well as being assisted by staff to cook meals from their country of origin.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 12 inspections. 

Two centres operated by the Muiríosa Foundation required improvements to meet the regulations - with one centre being required to improve upon their safeguarding arrangements for residents.

At a Praxis Care centre, improvement was required in a high number of areas such as staffing, governance and management, infection control, healthcare, safeguarding and residents’ rights. 

In two centres operated by S O S Kilkenny, improvements were required in governance and management, and positive behaviour support for residents. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards in seven inspections of designated centres operated by providers such as St John of God Community Services, Peamount Healthcare, St Hilda’s Services and the Peter Bradley Foundation. These centres were required to improve areas such as; fire precautions, premises, individual assessment and personal plan, positive behavioural support, notification of incidents, personal possessions, governance and management and premises.

Read all reports from the link below