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.”