Risk of ‘all forms of abuse’ at Cheeverstown, Hiqa says

Serious shortcomings, including the risk to residents of "all forms of abuse", have been found at Cheeverstown House, a centre for people with intellectual disabilities in south Dublin.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has published eight inspection reports on the centre in Templeogue, which provides residential care, as well as respite, for about 400 adults and children at its main campus, and a number of other locations in southwest Dublin.

All eight inspections were conducted in April and some were follow-up inspections.

One inspection of four houses, three on-campus and one off-campus, found 10 major instances of non-compliance, two of moderate non-compliance and six areas where care was in compliance with standards.

There was no one in charge, residents were not supported to maintain choice in their lives and their days were centred around the availability of staff.

“The inspector found residents were not fully protected from all forms of abuse. There was a policy protecting residents’ property and monies; however this was not implemented in practice.”

“Due to the size and layout of the multi-occupancy bedrooms and bathrooms, dignity and privacy for all residents could not be maintained,” said the report. “Staff were generally knowledgeable about what constituted abuse and how they would respond to any suspicions of abuse . . . however the inspector found that appropriate action was not taken to maintain the safety of all residents following an allegation of abuse.”

Breakfast was a stressful experience. “Residents at risk of choking were not appropriately supervised; they were seen to walk around the house with food in their mouths.

Hurried meal time

“The meal time was hurried and staff said this was to ensure all residents were ready for day services.” In another centre, comprising four houses, no person was in charge.

Seven residents shared one bathroom in one house, and in another a resident could not access the bathroom due to stairs and had to visit another house.

The inspection of another centre of four houses on campus, found no person in charge and residents were not fully supported to make choices in their daily lives, though there was evidence residents and relatives were involved in running the centre. In one house commodes were not emptied for over a day while in another only one staff member was rostered on at night when half the residents required two staff to mobilise.

There was evidence residents were not fully protected from physical and financial abuse. While a policy was in place for the centre to hold money owned by residents, balances were checked and were incorrect for one resident.

Bank accounts

Inspectors found pensions and disability allowances were paid into Cheeverstown House’s bank account and not into residents’ accounts as they did not have bank accounts.However, staff were also found to be kind, supportive, caring and patient. Lists of necessary actions and timeframes in which they should be taken have been issued to Cheeverstown by Hiqa.

Cheeverstown responded that a risk management policy was being rolled out, staff training in risk assessments would be provided and policies on protecting residents’ property and money would be implemented consistently with individual bank accounts for people in their own names.

In a separate statement, Cheeverstown said it had noted the Hiqa findings and was working with it to agree an action plan to remedy the issues and concerns raised in an agreeable timeframe. KEY FINDINGS No person was in charge in any of the eight houses inspected.

Staffing levels were inadequate, impacting directly on quality of care.

No appropriate action was taken to protect residents from sexual abuse following an allegation of abuse.

Residents’ money not all accounted for.

Residents' privacy and dignity was not respected.

Some staff involved in cooking residents' food were not aware of their allergies.