Serious defects revealed at Cope centre

A new inspection report has found serious defects at a centre operated by the Cope Foundation in Cork, with health watchdog Hiqa asking there be no more admissions there until further notice.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) also issued a warning letter to the Cope Foundation following the unannounced inspection, which took place on November 5 and 6.

The unnamed centre, which has eight houses and residential services for up to 41 adults with intellectual disabilities, was found to have “serious and significant non-compliance” in a number of areas, with inspectors unclear whether the causes of incidents — some of which saw residents assaulted by their peers — were properly identified.