Hiqa finds 66 high risk issues at Dublin disability centre

Fire safety reviews identified 66 high risk issues at a south Dublin centre for people with disabilities, most of which remain unaddressed, according to a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).

Hiqa inspectors found action was to be taken on six of the 66 issues in one unit at Good Counsel Centre & Westfield House, while works had yet to commence in a second unit.

Their report found the HSE-run centre in Ballyboden was non-compliant in 10 out of 18 areas examined and the operator had addressed only three of 13 actions required from a previous inspection.

The centre, which has 22 residents, continues to operate despite not being registered by the authority. It says there is a plan, which has been delayed by “unforeseen circumstances”, to move residents to new houses within the community and registration will be decided at that point.

In their report, Hiqa inspectors criticised standards in one unit, where plaster was crumbling from the walls, holes were left in walls after wiring, the floor was torn in areas and the radiators were rusting.

Their report said there was a lack of consultation with residents over the delays in moving and their concerns over the closure of a day service.

Inspectors required immediate action over the risk posed by hot water at 55 degrees in bathroom washbasins. Locks were not provided on the shower or bedroom doors in one unit to ensure privacy and residents did not have a bank account in their own name.

No follow-up

The report says there was no follow-up to deal with the high number of incidents occurring, such as medication errors, falls, absconsions, choking incidents and behaviours that challenge.

The lines of authority and accountability in one unit of the centre were not clear to all staff and staff meetings were not held in the unit, it said.

The report found some evidence of good practice in the centre. Residents were familiar with the staff, who were knowledgeable about their health and social care needs.

Residents were supported to develop and maintain personal relationships and their families were encouraged and welcomed to be involved in the lives of residents.