The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 50 inspection reports on residential centres for older people. Inspections were carried out between November 2023 and April 2024. The Chief Inspector of Social Services 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 50 reports published, inspectors found evidence of good practice and compliance with the regulations and standards in a number of inspections.  Five thematic inspection reports focusing on the use of restrictive practices were found to be compliant or substantially compliant with the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. A further 14 centres were either fully compliant or substantially compliant with the regulations. In general, these centres were found to be meeting residents’ needs and delivering care in line with the national standards and regulations. 

Levels of non-compliance varied in the remaining inspection reports, with 20 centres non-compliant with three regulations or less, and 11 centres non-compliant with four or more regulations. On these inspections, non-compliance was identified in areas including: infection prevention, governance and management, protection, fire precautions and fire safety, premises, staffing, residents’ rights, nutritional requirements, safeguarding and managing behaviour that is challenging.

Where non-compliance with the regulations was identified, providers were required to submit compliance plans to demonstrate how they will make improvements and come into compliance with the regulations.

A full list of reports published today accompanies this statement. 

The reports and compliance plans can be found on www.hiqa.ie.