HIQA has published inspection reports for two residential centres for people with disabilities in Donegal, both run by the HSE.
In the case of one of them, Ballytrim House, nine non-compliances were recorded.
There were none recorded at the Abbey Village Homes.
In the case of Ballytrim House, HIQA says significant failings were identified in relation to the governance and management of the service.
This created significant risks to residents, impacted on their quality of life and their human rights. Inspectors were not assured that residents were kept safe in this centre.
Of the 10 regulations inspected, the centre was found to be non compliant with nine of them.
There were seven residents at the centre on the day of the inspection in April of this year.
A compliance plan has been produced, and is in the process of being implemented.
In a statement, the HSE acknowledges the findings of the inspection at Ballytrim House and wishes to reassure the public that the safety and wellbeing of patients remains its highest priority.
The HSE is actively working to implement the recommendations in the report to ensure full compliance with the regulations. A number of actions the HSE says, have been taken.
The full Ballytrim House report can be read HERE
In the case of Abbey Village Homes, no non-compliances were detected.
There were 14 residents in place across the centre’s three buildings when the inspection took place.
The full Abbey Village Homes report can be read HERE
HSE Statement:
The HSE has welcomed the publication of a HIQA inspection report at Ballytrim House. Ballytrim House is a designated centre in Donegal managed by the HSE providing a full time residential service for seven adults with an intellectual disability. HIQA undertook an unannounced inspection of Ballytirm House on the 24th of April 2025. The report was published on the HIQA website on 7th of August 2025.
Ballytrim House comprises a seven bedded one-storey building located in a small town. Each resident has their own bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Residents have access to communal facilities such as sitting rooms, a sensory room, dining room, kitchen and outdoor area. Ballytrim house is located close to local amenities such as shops, public houses and cafes. Residents are supported night and day by both nursing and care staff.
The HSE acknowledge the findings of the inspection and wishes to reassure the public that the safety and wellbeing of patients remains its highest priority. The HSE is actively working to implement all the recommendations outlined in the report to ensure full compliance with the regulations.
During the inspection, ten regulations were inspected, nine of which were non compliant and one (staffing) was compliant. In order to address the non-compliances a number of actions were taken including the following:
Training and staff development: all staff have undertaken the required training in accordance with their individual training needs.
Governance and management: the Person in Charge has put in place a number of measures to ensure compliance with this regulation. This includes relocating one resident to an identified annex within the centre with approved padding and second resident to the opposite annex area.
Communication: training for staff to support residents has been carried out by a speech and language therapist.
Premises: the Person in Charge has implemented a plan with maintenance for outstanding repair and upgrade works to the premises.
Risk management procedures: the risk register has been reviewed and an audit of all nursing care plans within the centre including risk assessments for each resident and corresponding action plan has been completed.
Protection: the Person in Charge has reviewed and implemented all safeguarding plans within the centre.
The HSE also wishes to acknowledge the dedication of its staff, who continue to deliver high quality person centered care at Ballytrim House. The HIQA inspector noted that “staff were knowledgeable on the needs of residents, particularly in relation to the supports they needed to manage their behaviour. Staff knew what steps to follow should a safeguarding incident occur. Staff spoke about the supports they offered residents in the centre and in the wider community.”
The HSE remains committed to ensuring high-quality services are delivered and maintained at Ballytrim House designated centre.
