HIQA report finds Western Care non-compliant in four areas

A HIQA report into governance and safeguarding in residential centres for people with disabilities operated by Western Care has found non compliance in four areas.

The extensive report, released this morning confirms concerns raised in this newspaper since last November, and highlights failings in Governance and Management, Protection, Positive Behavioural Support and Risk Management Procedures.

HIQA has raised concerns about Western Care Association’s governance and the quality of care and support in designated centres since October 2022 following the receipt of solicited and unsolicited information. Inspection programmes prior to March 2023 identified significant non-compliance in those designated centres inspected, resulting in repeated escalated regulatory
action.
As of March 2023, Western Care Association was operating 36 designated residential centres in Mayo. Since November 2022, HIQA has inspected 35 of these centres.

HIQA conducted this regulatory programme in Western Care Association-operated designated centres for people with disabilities over a two-week period in March 2023. During this two-week inspection programme, inspectors met with 54 residents and 74 staff members, including all persons in charge, and spoke with residents in all 19 centres.

In-depth coverage will be carried in this week's Mayo News, which will be in the shops and online from Tuesday morning.