Non-compliance affecting care services identified in nine disability centres

Eva Osborne

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents have been identified in nine centres for people with disabilities.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published 22 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities, finding a generally good level of compliance in 13 centres and non-compliances at the other nine.

Poor governance was identified at four centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, which has centres in Dublin and Kildare.

An urgent action was issued at one centre to address fire safety measures, while improvements were needed in the remaining centres in areas such as premises, fire safety and the management of complaints from residents.

Poor governance impacted on residents at a centre operated by Terra Glen Residential Care Services Limited in Co Wexford. Improvements were needed in managing residents’ safety and their personal plans.

Poor governance impacted on the safety of residents at a centre operated by St Michael's House in Dublin, with improvements needed in fire safety measures.

At a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company, which operates centres in both Meath and Louth, improvements were needed in managing residents’ health and personal plans.

Improvements were required in resident activities at a centre in Mayo operated by Western Care Association.

Finally, improvements were identified in the premises at a centre operated by the Rehab Group.

On the other hand, HIQA inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 13 centres operated by a number of providers including: St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Stewarts Care DAC; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group; Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG; and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents had recently moved from a congregated setting to a centre in the community operated by St John of God Community Services CLG in Dublin, which had a positive impact on their lives. Residents were in receipt of more person-centred care, were engaging in activities of their choosing and there were positive impacts on their health and wellbeing;
• A resident chatted about their local job while another spoke about attending various sporting events during an inspection of a centre in Mayo operated by the Rehab Group. It was evident that each resident was offered choice and actively participated in their local community, and their rights were respected;
• At a centre in Waterford operated by Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG, residents enjoyed activities such as athletics, bocce, muay thai, swimming, bowling, cooking, gym, and gardening. Some residents accessed nearby day services and used public transport to travel independently. Another resident had recently returned from a holiday to Spain with their family.