Hiqa lifts closure threat against Co Meath care centre

The health watchdog has backed off a threat to close a Co Meath care centre after inspectors found substantial improvements in its operation.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) says the Redwood Extended Care Facility in Stamullen has made significant improvements since last year and is now substantially compliant with regulations.

Last year, inspectors criticised the centre for its overuse of restraints to control the behaviour of vulnerable residents with intellectual disabilities. In one report, they detailed 770 incidents of physical restraint over an 11-month period.

The centre was home to 30 people aged 18 to 69 with complex and high support needs, particularly in relation to behaviour management issues.

Further inspections carried out earlier this year found continuing non-complianc. In March Hiqa issued notice of its intention not to register the centre for recurrent non-compliance with regulations.

However operators, the Talbot Group, made detailed representations and inspectors found during a repeat visit in April that a number of changes had been made.

The number of residents has been reduced to 20, leaving extra space to preserve the dignity of residents, Hiqa found. Staff had received training in positive behaviour support and the use of restrictive practices and physical restraints was considerably reduced. The provider nominee was changed last April.

Hiqa says the shift in culture from a medical model of care to a social one was evident and there were no more restrictions on visitors meeting residents. There was also evidence of learning from serious incidents involving restraint and the number of physical interventions had been reduced by 95 per cent.

Residents who spoke to inspectors said they did not feel threatened by other residents and were complimentary of the changes made.