Hiqa concern at claims of abuse at centre for disabled

Inspectors have said they are concerned about the high number of allegations and suspicions of abuse reported at a centre for people with disabilities.

Health watchdog Hiqa said there had been 102 safeguarding issues reported to the DLP (designated liaison person) in the centre in 2014 alone, with the majority of the incidents categorised as peer-to-peer physical abuse, or unexplained injuries.

Despite an open culture of reporting at the centre, the report read: “Inspectors were concerned with the provider’s inability to protect all residents from ongoing harm or abuse.”