Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 20 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 20 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 13 centres, including in centres operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; Health Service Executive; Muiríosa Foundation; Praxis Care; Prosper Fingal Company; RehabCare; Redwood Extended Care Facility and RK Respite Services Ltd.
Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:
In an RK Respite Services centre, the provider maintained strong links with residents' families, which ensured that staff were kept informed of any changes to residents' care needs that occurred in between respite stays.
People with disabilities who used respite services in a Prosper Fingal Company centre told the inspector that they enjoyed learning new skills at the centre, and were working towards becoming more independent and developing everyday life skills, such as preparing a meal.
In an Enable Ireland Disability Services centre, staff members told the inspector that one resident loved to watch sport, and the resident was observed laughing with staff members when they discussed their favourite team’s performance in the match the previous night.
Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on seven inspections.
Two centres operated by RehabCare required improvements to strengthen governance and management procedures to ensure that the service provided to residents was safe, appropriate to their needs, consistent and effectively monitored. In one centre, practices did not effectively safeguard residents from frequent and unpleasant verbal comments from their peers which lead to distress.
In a Praxis Care centre, inspectors found that infection control arrangements required review and improvement, especially in regards to the adequacy of hand-washing facilities.
Inspectors found non-compliance in two Health Service Executive (HSE) centres. Improvements were required in the assessment of residents’ needs and the monitoring of residents’ care plans to ensure they were up to date.
An inspection of a Resilience Healthcare centre found that systems in place for the governance of the centre had not ensured that residents were supported by a consistent staff team within a homely environment.
In an SOS Kilkenny centre, safeguarding plans had not been developed in response to a potential risk resulting in residents complaining of feeling anxious and afraid.
Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.