Fire safety concerns and inadequate protection for individuals have been pinpointed within some of the State’s disability care centres, according to recent audits carried out by the health regulator Hiqa.
Three Sunbeam House Services centres were found to have poor management systems in place, including one in Co Wicklow needing enhancements in its application of restrictive practices, which embody physical, environmental or chemical restraint methods.
The report noted that ameliorations were necessary in multiple domains like fire safety, infection control and prevention, the premises, positive behaviour reinforcement, restrictive practices deployment, and the provider’s evaluation of the centre. Multiple fire safety flaws were spotted by the inspector, such as non-specific evacuation strategies for the centre and a fire door kept open, undermining its original purpose.
Poor infection prevention methods were also noted, highlighted by a lack of suitable gear to lessen cross-contamination infection risks. Another Sunbeam-operated centre in Co Wicklow displayed poor maintenance of its premises and a continued lack of adequate fire containment measures.
These conditions resulted in an escalated risk to resident safety, the report stated. While the residents were encouraged to enjoy and live life as independently as possible, the home’s layout hindered this for some. The report noted that the poor maintenance and dilapidated state of the building detracted from a homely atmosphere and heightened infection control risks for residents.
Hiqa inspectors also discovered poor management in three centres operated by St John of God Community Services. Insufficient fire safety measures, posing dangers to residents, prompted urgent action at one centre, with the two others needing upgrades in the premises and fire safety precautions.
Two centres operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland required improvement in areas like fire safety and resident admission policies. Issues regarding safeguarding incidents and their effects on residents were highlighted at a centre run by St Michael’s House. Lastly, one centre operated by The Rehab Group needed more staff to adequately cater to the needs of residents.
Enhanced fire safety precautions need to be implemented to guard the inhabitants at a facility managed by Stewarts Care DAC, as well as another establishment run by The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland.