HSA review into special care unit prompted by staff injuries

A new inspection report into one of the country’s main children’s special care units has outlined how the Health and Safety Authority had to conduct a review due to the high number of staff injured while at work.

The report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) paints a generally favourable picture of the Ballydowd special care unit in Lucan, Co Dublin, which at the time of the inspection was home to six young people aged between 11 and 17 years detained there under High Court care orders.

While it was fully or substantially compliant in half of the 30 standards assessed, and only majorly non-compliant in three areas, the report highlights some deficits.