A HIQA inspection carried out in October last year on a HSE centre for adults with intellectual disabilities in Stillorgan, recommended that the centre have its registration cancelled due to a failure to comply with numerous provisions.
A follow up inspection which occurred in December found that the centre had improved the quality of certain safeguards but some concerns still remain.
The centre, which houses 18 residents, is called Hawthorns and consists of five detached bungalows on a campus setting with green spaces
In the October report published last week, the Chief Inspector of Social Services said that “overall, the inspectors found that the registered provider and person in charge were not adequately monitoring the quality and safety of the care and supports for residents in the centre.”
In the inspection, it was found that the centre had failed six out of the nine regulations inspected.
The failed regulations included a lack of qualified staff, the failure to provide proper protection to residents, a lack of proper behavioural support and the premises not maintained to the required standard.
In the December follow-up inspection, the HIQA inspectors reported that “there was evidence of improvements in governance and management of the centre, however concerns remained in relation to staffing numbers, the premises and the compatibility of residents.”
The report also noted that the improvements “were at the early stages” and had yet to fully impact the lives of the residents.
“There was evidence that the provider had taken steps to address the safety concerns identified during the last inspection by completing the required maintenance works to keep residents safe,” the report added.
In a statement to Dublin Gazette, the HSE said it is striving towards being fully complaint with the regulations and the compliance plan it submitted to the Chief Inspector of Social Services.
It said: “The HSE is working closely with the Health Information and Quality Authority towards delivering in full commitments made in respect of the Compliance Plan submitted to the Authority on the January 15, 2020.
“Despite the challenging labour market, the HSE is confident that its obligations as stated in the Compliance Plan will be achieved within the timeframes set out in the Compliance Plan for that service.”
