Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 31 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.

Twenty of the reports published today relate to centres operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Inspections in 10 of these HSE centres found that the premises were not compliant with the regulations; this impacted on residents’ rights, dignity, privacy and quality of life.

Of the other 11 reports published today, evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards was found in five 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 six centres. Residents’ needs were not always met in line with the regulations and standards, with non-compliances identified in areas such as complaints management; health and social care needs; suitable staffing; and the premises.