Heath watchdog Longford centre for people with disabilities is praised by HIQA inspector
Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) officials carried out an unannounced inspection on a local centre for people with disabilities on March 27.
Residents at a county Longford centre for people with disabilities enjoy a good quality of life and are being well cared for by a consistent staff team according to a new report.
An unannounced HIQA inspection took place at Oaklands supported accommodation on March 27 last and the findings were mostly positive report with the centre found to be 'compliant' or 'substantially compliant' in 10 different regulatory areas.
Oaklands supported accommodation is a designated centre operated by Rehab Group, which provides a residential service to four adults with a disability.
The service is provided in a detached two storey house with a large landscaped garden and recreational area with private and on-street parking provided.
Oaklands was deemed to be 'compliant' in terms of 'persons in charge', 'staffing', 'training and staff development, 'governance and management', 'individual assessment and personal plan', 'health care' and 'residents' rights'.
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The centre was found to be 'substantially compliant in respect of 'admissions and contract for the provision of services', 'premises' and 'positive behavioural support'.
Each resident has their own bedroom (some with an ensuite) and various communal areas are provided for to include a sensory room, a fully equipped kitchen cum dining room and two sitting rooms.
Oaklands is registered as a designated centre to provide social services care and support to four residents and there were four residents present on the date of the unannounced inspection of March 27 last.
The HIQA report outlined that 'residents indicated and told the inspector and what the inspector observed, coupled with reviewing documentation, speaking to and observing staff, the inspector was assured that residents enjoyed a good quality of life and were well cared for by a consistent staff team'.
The health watchdog found the centre was 'compliant' in seven different regulatory areas and 'substantially compliant' in three different areas.
Residents told the inspector they were happy living in the centre and spoke about their day to day activities.
Two residents spoke about going home and how they went home regularly.
Residents also spoke of how they had attended a television programme in Dublin and told the inspector they were delighted by this and proudly showed the inspector photographs of this occasion.
Residents spoke of accessing the community through their attendance at day services and in the evenings and at weekends accompanied by staff to activities for example bowling or shopping or going for a walk.
Overall the inspector found that the management team generally had systems relating to oversight and governance of the centre.
The report stated there was a 'clearly defined management structure was in place' and the person in charge and team leader provided the day to day management of the centre.
"They were supported by the regional manager.
"All three attended the feedback meeting and gave assurances that any improvements identified would be addressed promptly."
Under the ‘Admissions and contract for the the provision of services’ the report registered provider had agreed a written contract of care on admission with each resident.
The report outlined this ‘contract laid out the services offered to residents and any the fees payable’.
However under weekly bills contribution a fee was said to be quoted as payable by each resident regardless of whether they were in the service or at home.
The report said there was no detail as to what this fee included.
Overall, the centre suited the needs of the residents and provided them with a suitable living environment, however there were some maintenance issues that required attention.
These included the kitchen kicker boards where the paint was chipped and an upstairs en-suite which had loose cracked tiles, but it was largely a positive overall report.
*To read the full story see next week’s Longford Leader