The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 20 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.

Ten centres were found to have a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services, COPE Foundation, Dundas Limited, RK Respite Services Ltd and St. Catherine’s Association Limited.

Fourteen reports were published today for centres operated by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. A good standard of practice was found in five centres. However, inspectors identified non-compliance in the other nine centres. The provider had previously been issued with notice of proposal to cancel and refuse registration of three of these centres. Failings were found in areas including, safe and suitable premises; health and safety and risk management; safeguarding and safety; social care needs; and governance and management.

A report has been published for one centre operated by the Cork Association For Autism. The provider had been issued with a notice to cancel the registration of this centre in February 2017. While improvements had been made to the care delivered to residents, inspectors identified further actions be addressed in the areas of medicines management, and governance and management.