Non-compliance impacting care identified in nine centres for people with disabilities

Eva Osborne

Non-compliance that impacted the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in nine centres for people with disabilities, according to reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Poor governance impacted residents at a centre operated by Lotus Care Limited. Due to the level of safeguarding concerns identified, the chief inspector informed Tusla immediately after inspection, HIQA said.

In addition, an urgent action was issued to the provider to address safety concerns over residents’ medications. Immediate actions were also issued to address food safety concerns, measures to protect residents from infection, and potential risks impacting on residents.

Poor governance also impacted residents at a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG.

Residents expressed dissatisfaction due to ongoing safeguarding incidents which required better management by the provider. In addition, improvements were required in staffing and meeting residents’ rights.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by The Rehab Group. The provider had not mitigated a specific risk for a resident. In addition, improvements were required in residents’ personal plans, communication, staffing, and oversight of safeguarding.

At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, significant concerns were raised over the use of residents’ personal finances in an inappropriate manner.

At a centre operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, improvements were required in residents’ contracts, personal plans, and communication needs. A review was required on the impact of some practices upon residents and their rights and in managing their healthcare assessments.

Improvements were required in managing risks and safeguarding assessments for residents at a centre operated by Orchard Community Care Limited.

At two centres operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities, improvement was required in the oversight of residents’ finances.

Finally, improvements were required in the management of residents’ personal plans and staff training at a centre operated by St Hilda's Services.

The other 13 centres inspected by HIQA were found to have a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards.

These centres were operated by a number of providers including: Praxis Care; Redwood Neurobehavioural Services Unlimited Company; Resilience Healthcare Limited; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St Aidan’s Services; St Hilda's Services; St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group; and Western Care Association.