Hiqa goes to court over fears for clients

Poor management of three HSE-run centres for people with disabilities in East Cork were the main reason that health watchdog Hiqa went to court over concerns for resident safety.

St Raphael’s campus in Youghal was found to be inadequately staffed, with conditions that put residents at risk, while complaints about abuse were not dealt with properly by management.

The litany of failings revealed during nine inspections between March and October this year included excessive restraint of residents, inability to prevent or deal with aggressive behaviour, and insufficient measures to protect dignity and privacy.

The dormitory in one unit — where some residents walked around naked — was accessed by staff and suppliers as a shortcut to another part of the complex.

The HSE yesterday apologised to residents and their families for the shortcomings at the three centres — St Raphael’s Residential Centre, Oakvale, and Youghal Community Hostels.

But it says that moves are continuing to move most residents to community settings by early 2017, and extra staff and service improvements are already being put in place.

The first of nine inspections by Hiqa this year was prompted when it was notified of an allegation of abuse of a resident.

It was also referred to gardaí and a HSE disciplinary procedure is reaching conclusion.

The health services watchdog found only one staff member at St Raphael’s Residential Centre had been trained in the protection of vulnerable adults.

Despite some progress on improving conditions between March and October, Hiqa took the unprecedented step of going to the District Court on November 6, where consent orders requiring the HSE to put various measures in place were granted.

Mary Dunnion, Hiqa director of regulation, said this move was taken because the HSE had made inadequate progress in improving residents’ safety and quality of life, despite inspectors’ requirements for immediate action on some issues, the issue of a warning letter, and a notice of improvement.

The report of the most recent inspection, on October 20, showed there had been overall progress on many actions promised by the HSE but this was not enough.

“There continued to be significant concerns in relation to governance and management in the centres and the impact that this has had on the safety of residents,” it said.

Ger Reaney, HSE chief officer for community healthcare organisation in Cork and Kerry, said several improvements have been made this year, particularly in St Raphael’s Residential Centre which is in the most unsuitable building.

“With a new management team in place, and funding and arrangements to move people into the community, we can reassure people that service has improved and will continue to improve,” he said.

“We would have preferred if we had funding two to three years ago. We have been looking to move people from institutional settings for a long time,” Mr Reaney said.