The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 22 reports on residential services for people with disabilities. HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities, which apply to residential and respite services in Ireland.

On inspection of 13 centres, a good level of compliance was found with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by COPE Foundation, Redwood Extended Care Facility and Rehabcare.

Two reports were published for centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. Although inspectors identified good practice in both centres, the provider was required to take immediate action in the area of safeguarding to ensure residents are safe and their rights protected at all times.

Four reports published today refer to Nua Healthcare Services centres. HIQA is currently monitoring the implementation of the provider’s governance plan which aims to improve the safety and quality of life for residents in a number of centres operated by this provider.

A good level of compliance was found in one centre operated by Nua Healthcare. In another centre, inspectors found that while actions taken by the provider since the previous inspection had improved the quality and safety of care, further improvement was required in all outcomes inspected against. An inspection of a third centre, which focused on residents’ safety, found significant non-compliance in health and safety, risk management, safeguarding and governance and management. During an unannounced inspection of another Nua Healthcare centre, inspectors judged that the provider had failed to take sufficient action following the previous inspection to ensure that residents were safe and appropriately supported in line with their needs.

Four reports relate to centres operated by Muiríosa Foundation. Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in three centres. The management of medicines was inadequate in one centre and required improvement for the safe administration of medicines.

Three reports refer to centres operated by Peter Bradley Foundation, which trades as Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. One of these centres was found to provide a service that offered a good level of compliance with the regulations. In the other two centres the provider was required to improve their service in areas including safe and suitable premises, health and safety and risk management, workforce and medication management.

An inspection was carried out in one part of a centre operated by Stewarts Care Limited in response to a safeguarding concern received by HIQA. While the provider had implemented a number of actions, inspectors found that there continued to be poor outcomes for residents in relation to their healthcare and to safeguarding arrangements relating to behaviours that challenge. Inspectors also found that there were poor oversight and governance arrangements in the centre.