A Co Offaly-based centre of people with disabilities has been ordered to address major deficiencies in governance and in the care of residents after an unannounced inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
The Offaly Centre for Independent Living Ltd in Tullamore was found to have “major non-compliances” with the Health Act 2007 and with the 2013 regulations governing services for children and adults with disabilities.
It offers respite breaks for up to five residents at a time with physical and/or sensory disabilities. Lengths of stay vary from two to 12 nights.
Hiqa said that notwithstanding the level of satisfaction expressed by residents in relation to the service being provided, the findings of non-compliance across the majority of areas “indicated negative outcomes for residents, and highlighted areas in need of significant improvement”.
Monitoring inspections took place on May 13th and 14th to assess seven aspects of compliance. Hiqa said in its report, however, that due to “grave concerns” about compliance with the regulations it had instead reviewed 15 outcomes.
“The findings of this inspection identified major non-compliances across all 15 outcomes,” the report published today said.
Concerns raised included infection control risks, issues of privacy for residents when using showers and bathrooms and a lack of consultation with residents in decisions about their care and the organisation of the centre.
The premises was also found to be in a poor state of repair and there were concerns about health and safety.
Inspectors were also not satisfied that there were sufficient measures in place to safefguard and protect residents from harm or abuse.
Nor were they satisfied that the healthcare needs of residents were being addressed.
It was the first inspection of the centre by Hiqa.
Inspectors said they were “very concerned” about what they said was the “high level of non-compliance across all areas inspected”.
“Following the close of the inspection on the second day, inspectors were satisfied that the provider/person in charge had sufficiently acted upon two of the actions in the immediate action plan, and at the time of report writing had adequately addressed the final action.”
The provider was asked to submit a written plan to inspectors to outline the steps he would take in order to bring the centre into compliance with the regulations.
“This plan was submitted within the required time frame, and offered inspectors some assurances that the provider would address the non compliances identified.”
The Hiqa report said the initial two action plan responses submitted by the provider “did not sufficiently assure inspectors that all non-compliances identified in this report would be adequately addressed”.
They offered guidance and allowed the provider a third attempt to submit “a satisfactory action plan”.