Hiqa: Care safeguards were directly blocked

Health watchdog Hiqa has claimed there was evidence of “direct obstruction to safeguarding incidents” at a HSE-run facility for people with disabilities, leading to resident distress and with the HSE seemingly powerless to fully investigate the person responsible.

The situation at Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Co Kilkenny, was detailed in an inspection report, one of 18 published by Hiqa.

The report outlined how the centre was previously operated by the Camphill Communities of Ireland but, due to high levels of non-compliance and risk to the residents, Hiqa had given notice of its decision to cancel its registration last May.