Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published a report on its review of the effectiveness of governance and management and safeguarding arrangements in registered residential centres for people with disabilities operated by Western Care Association in Co. Mayo.
Inspectors undertook a regulatory programme across all of Western Care Association’s registered residential centres between November 2022 and March 2023, including a condensed and focused inspection of 19 centres over two weeks in March 2023.
As part of the programme, inspectors met with residents, staff and senior managers. They assessed compliance with regulations on governance and management, risk management procedures, protection and positive behavioural support, and the impact on the quality and safety of care for residents living in these centres.
Overall, inspectors found that most residents were living in pleasant, homely environments with support from experienced and knowledgeable staff and persons in charge. However, poor support and accountability arrangements meant that the provider did not have adequate oversight of their own centres and this increased the risk of poor outcomes for residents in relation to their safety and wellbeing. The report being published today sets out those findings.
The Chief Inspector of Social Services within HIQA has required the provider to implement an overall governance improvement plan and to monitor the impact of that plan on improving the lived experience of people with disabilities living in their residential centres.
