HIQA important of crowded situations for disabled residents

An overview of HIQA's regulations in designated centers for people with disabilities has been published

Mary Dunnion, HIQA

According to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), people with disabilities living in a community have a poor quality of life.

An overview of the HIQA regulation in designated centers for people with disabilities published today (September 2nd) found that the majority of the centers provide good quality care and support to residents.

The inspectors also said regulatory compliance in key areas such as protection and welfare has improved across all centers since 2018.

However, it was also found that many residents who lived in a community had poor quality of service and quality of life.

The results were based on visits by HIQA inspectors to more than 1,000 care facilities.

Commenting on the report, HIQA's deputy chief inspector for social services (disability), Finbarr Colfer said that one in three residents continued to live in large facilities or on campus and were at higher risk of poor quality of life than those in the community lived.

"Residents in congregated settings were often separated from their local communities and continued to live in unsuitable, outdated housing," he said.

"Important aspects of everyday life and personal care such as the privacy of your own room, the opportunity to have friends on site and access to your own kitchen or laundry are often at risk or not available to these residents."

Mary Dunnion, HIQA's chief inspector of social services and director of regulation, said while regulation over the past six years has made a significant contribution to improving the lives, experiences and human rights of those living in these centers, more work is needed .

"Regulations are the basic minimum standard of care for people, and it is daunting to continue to find people with disabilities in designated centers who cannot fully exercise their basic human rights," she said.

"While the primary responsibility for providing a safe and high quality service to people with disabilities rests with the service providers, it is also imperative that the funders of these services ensure that public finances are used for a quality and safe service."

As of December 31, there were 1,268 registered centers for people with disabilities, accommodating 9,064 residents.

In the past 12 months, HIQA carried out 1,016 inspections in designated centers for people with disabilities.

Colfer added that HIQA will continue to promote improved services and the rights and quality of life of people with disabilities living in certain centers – especially on campus and in congregations – during the pandemic.

“We are also aware that the Covid-19 pandemic poses major challenges for the more than 9,000 people with disabilities who live in certain centers, as well as their families, friends, lawyers and providers. HIQA is committed to continuing to work with providers during these difficult times to ensure that residents' rights are promoted and protected. "• •

peter.doyle@imt.ie