Residential services in Waterford providing quality care
A nurse comforting one of their patients
Two recent Waterford-related reports released by the Health Information Quality Authority on inspections of designated centres for disabilities showed the two services inspected were almost fully compliant with regulations and provided a good standard of care to residents.
The first, unannounced inspection, took place on February 1, in Comeragh Residential Service Avondale, which is located in a housing estate in a busy area in Waterford City. Two residents were there on the day of the inspection while a third resident, who availed of residential care on a part-time basis, was at home home with family.
The inspector found “staff were laughing and joking with residents”. The report also highlighted that “it was evident that the residents enjoyed a variety of regular activities and had access to a range of local amenities including shops, clubs, and restaurants which they were supported to avail of by residential and day service staff".
Overall, the service was fully compliant with all regulations during the unannounced inspection.
The following week, on February 7 and 8, an announced inspection took place in Carriglea Cáirde Services in its Residential service, where 13 residents were present during the inspection. That inspection was to inform a registration renewal decision for the centre and the inspector noted “positive findings and good levels of compliance with the regulations reviewed.” However, management of positive behavioural supports needed to be addressed as the service was found to be Not Compliant in this area.
According to the inspector, some residents "had not experienced a review of their personal behavioural support plan for an extended time" an that posed a risk to the residents at times when their behaviours escalated.” Other restrictive practices were found to be in place, that hadn’t been recognised by the service as restrictive practices in line with national policy, and were not recorded or reviewed as restrictive practices. These had not been notified to the Chief inspector as restrictive practices on the centre’s quarterly reports. However, the report added that “the service was in the process of developing a human rights committee at the time of the inspection.”
Another area in which the service was found to be Not Compliant was under training and staff development regulations. While training and refresher training was being completed by all staff, there was a process in place for staff to receive a one-to-one appraisal with a line manager once a year, however, “this had not always happened.”
Overall, the inspector reported it to be “a quality and person-centred service”, where “safe and effective care was being provided.”
