Cork Centre for adults with disabilities was mostly ‘compliant’

A Hiqa inspection into the “North County Cork 2” centre for adults with disabilities, operated by Horizons, found it compliant in four areas, substantially compliant in a further four, and not compliant in two.

Residents spoken to said they enjoyed the food in the centre, and staff members on duty were seen to interact with residents in a pleasant and respectful manner during the inspection. However, at least one allegation or incident of a safeguarding nature had not been notified to the chief inspector within three working days, as required.

The chief inspector must also be notified of certain injuries on a quarterly basis, with the most recent one detailing three injuries. However, on reviewing incident records, it was noted the notification submitted did not include all relevant injuries that had happened. After this was notified, two further notifications were subsequently submitted.

At the time of the current inspection occurring, the chief inspector had been notified of 18 safeguarding incidents occurring in the centre.

From the safeguarding documents that were reviewed, there were two noticeable trends of incidents whereby two residents had impacted others by shouting, talking aggressively, or physically interacting.

An inspector reviewed documentation which indicated that incidents had been appropriately screened, a safeguarding plan had been put in place, and staff members had mostly demonstrated good knowledge around these plans.

There was a sheet for staff to sign to indicate that they were aware of these plans, and although inspectors were informed that such sheets were a relatively recent addition, one had been signed by 14 staff, while another had been signed by five.

The provider told Hiqa the sheets had been introduced just shortly before the inspection and therefore not all staff had signed the sheets when the inspector did their review.