Seven centres for people with disabilities non-compliant with standards, says Hiqa

Molly O'Reilly

Seven centres for people with disabilities have been identified by inspectors as having non-compliance with the required regulations and standards of care. 

Inspection reports were carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) on 22 designated centres for people with disabilities.

Inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 15 centres. However, non-compliance that impacted the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in seven other centres.

At a centre operated by Peamount Healthcare, Hiqa inspectors identified poor governance, "meant the service was not resourced to meet residents’ needs". Hiqa said improvements were required by the provider in managing risks and fire safety, and in supporting residents' recreational and healthcare.

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by Horizons. In two centres, improvements were required to support residents’ recreational activities as well as to the premises to support residents’ privacy and dignity. In the remaining centre, the management of safeguarding incidents and staff training required improvements.

Non-compliance was identified at two centres operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd. At one centre, a review of fire safety evacuation plans was required, while at the other centre, Hiqa said residents’ healthcare needs and staffing required improvements.

Finally, improvements were required in residents’ personal plans and assessments of care needs at a centre operated by Lotus Care Limited.

The inspectors did find good practices observed in many of the centres, including one in Wicklow operated by Enable Ireland Disability Services Ltd, where a resident attended a local service to meet up with friends and engage in activities of their choosing, such as swimming, shopping, visiting the library and availing of other community-based activities.

Meanwhile, at a centre operated by the HSE in Sligo, staffing and the availability of vehicles at the centre supported residents to do individual activities, with two residents joining the local 'Men’s Shed', which they said they enjoyed.