Mixed findings from HIQA on three Donegal centres for people with disabilities

Inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) at three Donegal centres for people with disability are substantially positive.

However, one of the three facilities was found to be non compliant in a number of areas including staffing, and safety of premises.

James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit

An unannounced inspection took place at the James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit on April 17 and 18. 

James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit is a congregated setting providing care and support to nine adults (male and female) with disabilities.

The April inspection was a follow to an inspection that took place in December 2022. At that time, inspectors inspected twelve regulations and found seven were not compliant and three regulations were substantially compliant and two were compliant. 

According to HIQA: “At this time, there were concerns in relation to the welfare of the residents and the safety of the service provided. In response to these findings, the provider submitted a compliance plan which detailed the actions that they planned to take in order to bring this centre into compliance

“The purpose of this inspection was to assess the provider’s capacity and capability to sustain their ongoing response to the actions required in order to return to full compliance. 

“From what the inspectors observed during this inspection, improvements were apparent. The governance team were settling into their roles and there were improvements in the resident’s quality of life and the safety of the service provided.”

The building is described as institutional in design, and the challenges of making it feel homely for residents was acknowledged. 

The centre was found to be non-compliant in terms of staffing, with the inspectors noting: “The provider had some staffing arrangements in place in order to meet the assessed needs of the residents. Continuity of care and support was provided and on-call arrangements were in place. However, the following required review: to ensure that the roster provides an accurate description of the staff on duty and that it is properly maintained, and to ensure that the staffing levels meet the assessed needs of residents and protect their care and welfare at all times.”

A second area of non-compliance was residents’ rights.

According to the report: “The provider had made improvements in relation to the human rights of residents living at this designated centre. However, the following arrangements required review: the use of personal alarms, mealtimes in place including the timing of the evening meal, and the use of multi-occupancy dormitories.

The centre was also found to be non-compliant in terms of premises. 

According to the report: “A de-congregation plan was in progress for this designated centre. However, the inspectors found that the design of the premises remained unsuitable for the needs of the residents.”

James Connolly Memorial Residential Unit was deemed substantially compliant in areas of training and staff development, governance and management, risk management procedures, and positive behavioural support.

It was fully compliant in notification of incidents, written policies and procedures, general welfare and development, and protection. 

Loughnagin

An unannounced inspection took place at Loughnagin, a centre which provides full-time residential care and support for up to five adults with a disability and additional health conditions.

The inspector visited the facility on April 3 and found that it was compliant in some aspects, with others needing improvement and being deemed substantially compliant. It was non-compliant in notification of incidents. 

Loughnagin is described in the report as a spacious and accessible bungalow located in a residential area close to a busy town. Residents had dedicated transport provided, which meant that they could access their local community.

According to the report: “From what residents told us and from what inspectors observed, it was clear that residents were enjoying a good quality of life where they were supported to be active participants in the running of the centre and be involved in their communities.”

Regarding the finding of non-compliance in notification of incidents, the inspector reported: “The provider failed to ensure that all notifications were submitted to the Chief Inspector in line with the requirements of the regulation.”

Loughnagin was deemed substantially compliant in areas of training and staff development, governance and management, risk management procedures, and protection.

It was found to be compliant in staffing, written policies and procedures, premises, fire precautions, individual assessment and personal plan, health care, and positive behavioural support. 

Teach Iarnroid

An unannounced inspection took place at the four-bedroom bungalow which accommodates four people with intellectual disabilities. 

The inspector visited on January 30 in order to review the actions the provider had completed in response to an inspection completed in November 2022, where 14 regulations were found not compliant. 

According to HIQA: “Inspectors found that significant improvements had occurred since the last inspection and the 14 regulations reviewed were found compliant.

“The provider ensured that residents safety was paramount to the overall service being delivered. In addition, oversight systems were enhanced by the provider to ensure the quality of care provided was monitored effectively. 

“Residents were supported and encouraged to choose how they wished to spend their time and that they were involved as much as possible in the running of their home.”

Teach Iarnroid was found to be compliant in every area of governance and safety, namely staffing, training and development, directory of residents, records, governance and management, admissions and contract for the provision of services, notification of incidents, written policies and procedures, risk management procedures, fire precautions, individual assessment and personal plan, healthcare, protection, and residents’ rights.