A care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities in Cork city remains unsuitable to meet the needs of its residents, according to a Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) report.
An inspection of the Grove House centre on St Mary’s Health Campus found many areas were unclean, paintwork was damaged and surfaces of some equipment was also damaged.
There were fire safety concerns too with fire exits being locked while not all members of staff had adequate safety knowledge.
The report said since the last inspection in March 2014 there were some improvements made to the centre, “however, due to the institutional design and layout of the premises, it was not suitable to meet the aims and objectives of the service and the needs of the residents”.
The findings of the inspection revealed an inadequate level of compliance with the Health Act 2007.
Twenty-one residents were staying at the centre when the inspection was made over the days of October 14th and 15th, 2014. The report found that, due to institutional practices, they were not adequately supported to develop the skills to live as independently as possible.
Improvements are required in areas such as residents’ rights, dignity and consultation in addition to links with the community and contract of care, the report said.
