A STAFF member at a respite support service for adults with intellectual disabilities in West Cork didn’t know that one of their residents had an infectious disease when an announced HIQA inspection took place last year.

The report, on the home run by the Brothers of Charity, states that there was no associated care plan in place for the resident for the infectious disease or their other identified health conditions.

The one-day inspection of No.2 Heather Park in West Cork took place on October 31 last year, when five residents were in the centre.

It caters for up to 20 during the summer months.

Despite residents stating that they were happy with the staff and quality of services provided, the centre was found to be non-compliant in four of the 13 areas examined, and it was found that a number of improvements were required.

The report states that the statement of purpose detailed that three staff members would be on duty during the day.

However, there were only two on duty on the weekend, and one resident needed the support of two staff members, according to their personal hygiene care plan.

Meanwhile, it was unclear whether another resident needed the support of one or two staff members when accessing the community.

“The resident had engaged in behaviours that challenge while on a recent social outing. Staff spoken with told the inspector that the supervision level of the resident may have been a factor in the incident,” according to the report.

It was also noted by the inspector that a particular resident’s medicine that’s only taken as required, did not include the maximum dosage to be taken in 24 hours, while it was found that a number of staff had not received mandatory training in fire safety and managing behaviour that is challenging.

There were also issues with the centre itself, with sections being in need of upgrade and repair — exposed hot water piping in areas including residents bedrooms was identified as an issue.

One of the four issues highlighted by HIQA was to be rectified by the providers by December 2019, while the other three categories must be rectified by the end of June this year.