Disability services publication statement 9 December 2019

Date of publication:

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 26 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 26 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 22 centres, including in centres operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with intellectual Disabilities; Muiríosa Foundation; Peamount Healthcare; Peter Bradley Foundation; RehabCare; St John of God Community Services; St Michael’s House; Sunbeam House; The Cheshire Foundation of Ireland; the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland; and Western Care Association. At the time of inspection, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care that met residents’ needs in these 22 centres.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • there was an emphasis in a Muiríosa Foundation centre, and among staff, on upholding the rights of residents. Residents were supported to make choices about their care and support, and were included in decisions about their lives. Residents could describe how they voted, and how they made their decisions.
  • residents in a St John of God Community Services centre had access to advocacy services and access to this service was promoted in the centre. There was evidence that advocacy services had been used by residents in the past and residents could tell the inspector how they would access it again, if they needed it.
  • residents in a Sunbeam House centre told the inspector how staff were supporting them to gain more independence, for example, helping them to understand the value of money. Other residents showed the inspector photographs of their achievements and goals.

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

Inspectors found that residents experienced a good quality of life in a Peamount Healthcare centre. However, there was not enough staff, with the appropriate skills, to meet residents’ needs.

In a Peter Bradley Foundation centre, inspectors found that the provider was endeavouring to provide a quality service which promoted residents’ rehabilitation. However, some actions from the previous inspection had not been addressed and needed to be implemented.

An inspection of a RehabCare centre found that improvements to risk management were required to ensure residents were safe. This area of non-compliance had also been highlighted during a previous inspection, but had not been adequately addressed.

While an inspection of a Catholic Institute for Deaf People centre identified examples of good care and support being provided to residents, in other instances the inspector identified an institutionalised approach to care. The provider was also required to put effective fire safety arrangements in place.

All reports and compliance plans are available on www.hiqa.ie.