Hiqa criticises staffing levels in disability centres

A number of centres for people with disabilities have been criticised by health watchdog Hiqa, particularly with regard to insufficient staffing levels.

There were 20 inspection reports issued yesterday by the Health Information and Quality Authority. One in relation to a designated centre for people with disabilities operated by St John of God Community Services in Dublin 8 found a number of shortcomings, including some complaints not being adequately dealt with. In a different centre in Louth, also run by the St John of God Community Services, there was “significant concern regarding the provider’s systems to oversee the safety and quality of the service”.

According to the inspection report on this Louth-based centre: “The provider did not have adequate systems in place to support, develop and performance manage all staff who worked in the centre on an ongoing basis. For example, the provider did not have adequate systems in place to provide on-going support, supervision and performance management to the person in charge. It was also observed that the person in charge had brought issues of concern regarding staff training to senior management of the centre. However, his concerns had not been addressed and gaps were identified in training on this inspection.”

It also noted that in one house of three residents, “because of behavioural issues that one of the residents presented with, the other two residents could only access their home when this resident was in bed.”

In the Dublin 8 centre, inspectors found that of the 17 actions identified at the last inspection, only one had been completed to a satisfactory level. In addition to concerns regarding how complaints were addressed, “Inspectors were informed from speaking to staff that there was no formal supervision in place for staff. Staff reported that they felt concerns that had been raised with management were not addressed.” It also noted that despite large numbers of agency and relief employed in the centre, “there were times of the day where there was insufficient staffing levels to meet the assessed needs of residents”.

At a separate centre in Limerick, run by the Brothers of Charity Services, staff spoke about fears of being “cornered” and not being confident enough to apply a physical restrictive hold on residents. The report said: “The extent of the behaviours and the risk they posed were clearly outlined by staff and in records seen and included instructions to staff not to adopt certain positions while delivering care and not to put either themselves or other residents in a situation where it was not possible to move away.”

At a designated centre for people with disabilities operated by Brothers of Charity Services in Limerick, excellent practice was identified in almost every area but the report noted “the inadequate provision of resources” amid cuts to funding in recent years.