Report reveals centre for adults with disabilities ‘ran out of money for food’

Michael Bolton

A designated centre for adults with disabilities in Co Galway ran out of money for food leading up to Christmas last year.

A report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) of Clochan Services in Galway revealed there was only €3 left for food to spend on groceries to pay for dinner.

The centre, which is ran by Ability West, provides respite care to a maximum of six adults with intellectual, as well as sometimes physical, disabilities.

On December 6th last year, an inspection found the person in charge used their own money to purchase groceries for the residents' evening meal and breakfast the following morning.

The report said one service user had not made a financial contribution since the summer of last year and the centre had been left at a financial deficit.

In the report, Hiqa says "The inspector found that this was a complete lack of governance on behalf of the provider which had the potential to have a profound and negative impact on the provision of care. The responsibility to adequately resource the designated centre rests solely with the registered provider Ability West."

The report showed in a two-day inspection in May this year, Hiqa said “The residents who used this service enjoyed a good quality of life and they were supported by kind and considerate staff team”.

"There had also been a marked improvement in the quality and safety of care which was provided to residents since the last inspection of this centre”.