Only a third of disability homes get Hiqa OK

The State’s health services watchdog has found that just over a third of residential centres for people with a disability inspected recently offer a good quality of life in safe surroundings.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) published 20 reports on residential services for people with disabilities and issues were raised in most of them.

Only seven of the inspections (35%) found that, in general, the provider was ensuring residents had a good quality of life and were safe.

Four of the reports about services run by the Daughters of Charity revealed deficits in the way risk was managed. In one centre there were issues with medication management.

Three of the four inspections of services run by the Health Service Executive found that the health authority was failing to ensure the safety of residents and ensure that care was based on need.

HSE-run Youghal Hostel was one of three centres that Hiqa had successfully applied to the District Court last November for restrictive conditions to be imposed.

While significant improvements were made, there were five issues of major concern relating to the health and safety of residents, including medication management.

There were three reports on centres run by St John of God Services — two of the inspections found serious shortcomings and the provider was told to address them.

The provider was required to take action to improve the privacy and dignity of residents and to ensure that those who had behaviour support needs were cared for in a positive way.

Improvements were also needed in the supervision and training of staff working with residents.

One of three inspections of L’Arche Ireland centres found that one in Cork City that was home to four residents was failing to protect their right to safety and privacy.

Inspectors found that an unauthorised person had stayed overnight in the centre, and there was an incident of staff misconduct that had not been reported to Hiqa.

A report into a centre run by the Cork Association for Autism — Greenville House in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork — found shortcomings in relation to healthcare needs, medicines management, social care needs, and suitable premises.

The centre is situated on five acres of land and is specifically for adults with autism. A previous inspection last year revealed shortcomings in staffing that have since been addressed: “A significant improvement had also been made to reduce incidents of behaviour that may challenge.”

Three reports of centres run by St Michael’s House found compliance in two centres, but there were issues of poor risk management and poor governance and management found in one centre.

Inspections of centres in Listowel and Killarney in Co Kerry run by Kerry Parents and Friends Association found significant risks for residents concerning fire detection and prevention and the safeguarding of vulnerable residents.

The association said addressing some of the failings would depend on getting the money to cover the cost.