Longford disability provider hailed by Hiqa chiefs

Battery Court, a facility run by St Christopher’s Services found the health, wellbeing and social care needs of residents were “protected and promoted” and that each resident was valued as an individual in their own rights.

The inspection, which was unannounced and carried out over the course of two half days, found the facility to be compliant or substantially compliant in all but one of thirteen regulatory areas surveyed.

The centre, which comprises six houses including an administrative area for staff use, provides residential supports to up to ten service users with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

“The premises were found to be spacious, clean and homely,” the report found.

“Each resident had their own living space/apartment which were personalised to their individual tastes.”

There were constructive comments concerning the all-round appeal and upkeep of the Longford town based centre.
“The houses were found to be visibly clean, well maintained and suitably furnished,” it found.

“Throughout the inspection residents were observed to be comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings and there was good comradery between residents.”

The only blip contained in the report centred chiefly on the area of fire precautions.

A number of reviews were called for, not least to ensure that actions identified in audits were completed within the timeframes identified.

There were similar requests to review the centre emergency plan to ensure that it contained accurate information about fire doors, and the specific arrangements for evacuation in the locations where there were no fire doors.

The centre’s most favourable determination came under the banner of the protection of residents.

“Safeguarding of residents was taken seriously in the centre, with any concern being followed up in line with procedure,” the report found.