A newly published independent report has found residents with intellectual disabilities living in an HSE centre are subjected to a number of restrictive practices due to the layout of their home.
Under the Health Act 2007, a restrictive practice is defined as “the intentional restriction of a person’s voluntary movement or behaviour”.
The HSE’s Sean O’Hare unit, in Stranorlar, Co Donegal, which houses six residents with intellectual disabilities, has a number of these practices in place, including bed rails, bumpers, key codes on front and rear doors and shared bedroom facilities.
The practices are in place in response to safety concerns, healthcare needs and environmental facilities, an inspector for the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said.
However, the inspector found that residents’ bedrooms were in shared dormitories that “did not promote residents privacy and dignity”.
The report states the inspector found “the ethos and culture of the centre was one which placed the resident at the centre of care” but changes to the current environment “would further promote residents’ rights and assist in implementing the least restrictive practice possible”.
In its response to the inspector, the HSE said it was addressing these restrictions through the provision of alternative accommodation, due for completion by December 2019.
Read the full article here: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/residents-in-donegal-hse-centre-restricted-due-to-layout-of-home-1.4066201
