Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 30 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 30 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including; COPE Foundation, Dara Residential Services and the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Kildare operated by Dara Residential Services, residents were supported with a range of activities in line with their needs and interests. One resident had a paid job in the local community and another resident’s framed artwork was displayed in the centre’s sitting room.
• Residents at a centre operated by the HSE in Meath were supported to access their local community, such as going swimming, as well as activities in the centre. Residents had also been supported to attend educational courses such as computer training. 
• At a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, residents had been supported to take an active role in making decisions about their new home prior to moving in. Residents had chosen the centre’s floor coverings and new furniture for the centre. Residents were also actively involved in the day-to-day activities of their home, participating in gardening, recycling activities, preparing food, and also taking opportunities to get to know their new neighbours.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 18 inspections. 

At a centre operated by Kingsriver Community Holdings Company Limited by Guarantee,  significant non-compliance was found especially in regards to the safeguarding of residents, governance arrangements and infection control.  

At a centre operated by Inspire Wellbeing Company Limited by Guarantee , a warning letter was issued to the provider due to the number of non-compliances with the regulations identified. 

Non-compliance was found in three centres operated by the COPE Foundation. Non-compliances in one centre  lead to immediate action being required to ensure that the service provided was safe, appropriate to residents’ needs. At another centre , the absence of the person in charge had not been notified to the Chief inspector in line with the regulations within the timelines specified in this regulation. In a third centre  the provider had not put arrangements in place to ensure the rights of residents were respected. 

In three centres operated by ChildVision Company Limited by Guarantee , improvements were required in areas such as healthcare, medication management and fire precautions.

In a centre operated by the HSE , the provider did not have effective oversight of the service, and needed to improve procedures to protect residents from the risk of infection. In another  HSE centre, improvement was required in areas such as medication, fire precautions, protection against infection, governance and management, and staff training. In a third centre, improvements were required to the premises, including work to address damp. Improvements were also required in a fourth  centre associated  with risk management and the notification of incidents. 

At a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland , although improvements were found since the previous inspection, further actions were required in areas such as fire safety and risk management.

Non-compliance in relation to fire precautions was evident at a centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation and a centre operated by  Gateway Community Care Limited by Guarantee.

Fire precautions and notification of incidents were non-compliant at a centre operated by Delta Centre Company Limited by Guarantee. In another centre, the provider had not ensured that residents’ personal plans were up-to-date and accurately reflect residents' specific needs. In a third centre, arrangements were not in place to ensure referrals to healthcare professionals were being appropriately followed up in accordance with residents’ needs.

Read all reports at the link below.