HSE issue statement with regard to latest HIQA reports on Donegal centres

The HSE has acknowledged the findings of HIQA reports published today concerning intellectual disability centers in Donegal.
 
The reports on Drogheda & Drumboe units were on inspections carried out in April of this year and identify areas of concern including Safeguarding and Management.
These areas are similar to those identified in reports published in August of this year regarding inspections which took place in Ard Greine Court in March and May of this year.
The HSE has implemented a detailed action plan to address all of the areas identified through these inspection reports and we are continuing to work through this implementation process:
With regards to Drogheda & Drumboe units the following actions have been taken to date:
1. A clearly defined management structure has been put in place in the centres that identifies the lines of authority and accountability, specific roles, and details responsibilities for all areas of service provision.
2. Single room occupancy was implemented in Drumboe unit.
3. Weekly residents meetings have commenced.
4. A consumer forum has commenced which involves residents, families, representatives and staff to support a person centred community model
5. Training has been delivered to all staff in safeguarding and protection awareness and fire safety. There is an ongoing programme of staff training on managing behaviours of concerns. Managers have received training in risk management.
Intellectual Disability services are moving from a model which is largely institutional to a community orientated inclusive model such as that represented by Sliabh Glas and St Martin’s. HIQA, through their inspections, imply that there remain remnants of the institutional model of care in some of our facilities.
To address this a programme of improvement is being implemented within intellectual disability services across the five counties of Community Health Organisation Area 1, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.
This involves structures to oversee and systematically bring about improvements across the disability services in CHO 1. This process will take time to implement fully in order to get from the kind of service that we are today to the new community orientated model. This will be done in partnership with residents, parents and carers to ensure success.
We have a very dedicated and hardworking team of staff within the intellectual disability services in Donegal who are committed to meeting the HIQA Standards and the provision of a Quality Service.