MOSCOW (August 4) RIA Novosti - Inspections, carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in 2014, indicate that less than two percent of Irish disability centers comply with all aspects of HIQA regulations, The Irish Times reported on Monday.
According to The Irish Times, the issues, identified by inspectors, include non-compliance with fire safety, staffing levels, usage of restraints and staff training. Other concerns were privacy issues in adult centers where baby monitors were used as well as lack of adequate repairs and hygiene.
The inspections were triggered when an Irish man, Albert Loughey, 72, died in November 2012 apparently due to malnutrition and dehydration, the Irish Times reported on Monday.
The Irish Independent further reported that Health Service Executive (HSE) care center residents were forced to go without food for 15 hours or were quickly spoon-fed by staff quoting the HIQA watchdog, "Inspectors observed some residents, being offered spoonfuls of food in quick succession by some staff members before they had swallowed and enjoyed the previous spoonfuls."
Phelim Quinn, HIQA director of regulation, said further engagement with service providers would commence in September 2014, with the aim of addressing some of the patterns and issues identified in the inspections carried out so far, as reported by The Irish Times.
John Hannigan, chairman of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies had concerns about how inspectors interpreted some of the regulations, saying some regulations “are based on standards for institutional rather than community settings,” adding that a 25-percent cut in funding could lead to non-compliance for staffing and facilities, The Irish Times reported.
HIQA is an independent authority responsible for “driving quality, safety and accountability in residential services for children, older people and people with disabilities in Ireland,” as stated on the HIQA website. In line with its responsibilities, HIQA sets the standards for safety and quality of health and social care services.
