The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 59 inspection reports on residential centres for older people. The Chief Inspector has statutory responsibility for independently regulating 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.

Of the 59 reports published today, inspectors found evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards in 40 centres. In general, these 40 centres were found to be meeting residents’ needs and delivering care in line with the national standards and regulations. This includes good practice found during nine thematic inspections which focused on the use of restrictive practices in services for older people. The programme is part of a quality improvement approach which aims to drive improvements in practice.

Inspectors found evidence of non-compliance in 19 centres. At the time of inspection in these centres, the provider had failed to ensure that the service delivered to residents was effectively monitored in line with the regulations and standards. Non-compliances were identified in areas including governance and management, staffing, training and staff development, statement of purpose, written policies and procedures, communication difficulties, healthcare records, end of life, protection, premises, risk management, infection control, personal possessions, complaints procedure, directory of residents, fire precautions, individual assessment and care plan, medicines and pharmaceutical services, managing behaviour that is challenging, and residents' rights.

A full list of reports published today accompanies this statement.

Reports and compliance plans can be found on www.hiqa.ie.