Care service improved from zero regulations

In a recent unannounced inspection of a residential home in County Waterford for people with disabilities, it was found that significant improvements had been made since previously being found not compliant under all regulations.

The purpose of this risk-based inspection of Comeragh Residential Services Kilmeaden, in January 2024, was to review progress by the provider against their stated actions which they put in place following the last inspection of the centre, in July 2023.

The previous findings from the inspection resulted in a formal cautionary meeting held with the registered provider following the inspection. The provider subsequently submitted a written action plan to the Chief Inspector of Social Services and this plan was reviewed as part of this inspection.

Throughout the inspection, residents were observed coming and going from the centre "either to planned activities such as their day service or unplanned activities such as going for a coffee with a peer."

"Inspectors observed two residents going out for a cup of coffee together in the morning and returning for their lunch," stated the report.

Inspectors found that the atmosphere in the centre on the day of inspection was "generally relaxed and sociable and the residents spoken with indicated that they liked living in the centre," while "staff and management were found to be pleasant, kind and respectful to the residents."

Since the previous inspection, there had been changes to the management team in the centre, which was recognised by the inspectors in the report: “There was an enhanced presence in the centre with an active focus on oversight and monitoring of the quality of care and support.” 

“Inspectors acknowledge the substantial work completed by the current management team in implementing the providers' systems and in the enhanced levels of oversight evident in the centre,” they added to the report.

Although the inspector found all staff were “suitably qualified to provide the care and support that the residents required” and had complete specific training to accommodate the residents’ individual needs, the issues around rostering staff remains and was therefore found to be not compliant under staffing regulations.

Additionally, regarding Training and Staff Development regulations, the centre was found to be substantially compliant as “a small number of staff were still outstanding in refresher fire safety training and refresher manual handling training.” This were scheduled to be completed later in the month.

Overall, this inspection found that the service was not compliant with two regulations, compared to its previous inspection which found it not being compliant with any.