Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 28 inspection reports on residential centres for older people. HIQA independently regulates designated centres for older people for compliance with the Health Act (2007) Regulations and the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland (2016), to ensure that the people living in these services are safe and well cared for.

The reports published today represent a significant change in how HIQA reports the findings of an inspection. The report template is new and includes the following sections: about the designated centre, views of the people who use the services, capacity and capability of the registered provider to deliver a safe quality service, quality and safety of the service and risk rating of all non-compliant regulation in the compliance plan. 

Evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards was found in 21 centres. These inspections found that residents’ needs were generally being met and care was delivered in line with the National Standards and regulations.

However, evidence of non-compliance was found in seven centres. Residents’ needs were not always met in line with the regulations and standards in these centres. Inspectors identified non-compliances in areas such as residents’ food and nutrition; notification of incidents; residents’ rights; and the premises.