Latest Hiqa report finds two Cork centres non-compliant with rules 

One Cork disability unit found to be not compliant with five Hiqa regulations, including the general welfare and development of its residents

The inspections were part of 30 undertaken by Hiqa, with a "generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards" in 14 centres operated by a number of providers. Picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

A resident in a Cork disability centre "ran and hid behind the back" of a staff member during an incident on their return to the centre.

The incident was mentioned in the latest inspection from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) in Crowbally/The Barn, run by Praxis Care and dealing with adults with autism, in September.

While the centre, which can provide a residential service to three adults on a full-time or shared basis, was found to be compliant with the majority of Hiqa regulations, it was found to not be compliant on the notification of incidents and medicines.

It was found to have failed to ensure "the chief inspector of social services had been informed in writing of all adverse events and quarterly notifications as required by the regulations".

This was demonstrated in the Hiqa report of an incident in July 2023.

One resident was spoken to on their return to the designated centre after a short break that was reported to have occurred in June 2023. 

The report adds: "However, staff on duty at the time of the incident reported that the resident ran behind a staff member and 'hid behind their back' during an incident where a peer was displaying behaviours of concern."

Separately, Elmville Disability Centre was found to be not compliant with five Hiqa regulations, including the general welfare and development of its residents.

Hiqa noted "activities had to be cancelled due to the resources available within the centre. For example, for one resident to go swimming, another resident's shopping trip was cancelled."

It added residents had been supported to develop personal goals. However, it was "difficult to track the progression of these goals. Some photographs had been used to document this, with clarity of the stage of other goals not available or known."

There were further fire safety issues in the centre, run by St Joseph's Foundation, as it was noted by Hiqa that "a number of fire doors were damaged following the replacement of door locks".

The inspections were part of 30 undertaken by Hiqa, with a "generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards" in 14 centres operated by a number of providers.

These included The Rehab Group-run Doon service in Kerry, which Hiqa found to be "clean throughout, well-furnished and homely".

At a centre in Dublin operated by Peamount Healthcare, staff were seen to support residents in a kind and gentle manner. The inspector observed residents taking part in a group music session, with staff playing guitar and singing. 

Residents showed their enjoyment of the music by "joining in with the singing, requesting songs, or simply listening and smiling".