The HSE has taken action after residents of a disability care centre in Falcarragh were reported to be living in unsafe and unsuitable accommodations.
An unannounced risk inspection by HIQA at St Martin’s House Community Group Home in April found non-compliance in each of the eight areas examined.
St Martin’s House provides care to four adults with a range of complex high-support needs, with three of those individuals living in the centre full-time.
The building at the time was deemed “unsafe and unsuitable” for the assessed needs of the residents.
A new house in a larger town was renovated and ready for the residents to move into. However, at the time of the inspection, there were no specific plans for the move.
St. Martin’s House residents have since been moved into an interim property on 5th June 2024.
Other significant concerns with the former accommodation related to wheelchair access in the centre. The kitchen, dining room, utility room and back door were not freely accessible. The inspector noted that if residents required emergency evacuation from the premises, this would prove difficult and only possible via the front door.
Two residents were required to share a bedroom which had insufficient space for safe movement, transfer and comfort.
Non-compliances were also found in relation to health care, where recommendations to support non-verbal residents were not actioned, and in protection, where a resident reported to be hypersensitive to noise and environmental stimuli had to share a bedroom.
In 2016, St Martin’s House was deemed not suitable for the needs of the residents living there and the provider was required to take action relating to the concerns identified. In 2022, the provider submitted a registration notification with the intention to cease the provision of the service at this location by May 2023 as they had identified an alternative house for the residents.
“In summary, the residents at this designated centre had a diverse range of high support needs and were living in a premise that was unsafe and unsuitable for their assessed needs,” the HIQA inspector said.
“Although the provider was aware of this, and had identified a new property, they failed to complete the move to the new property at the time of inspection. Until that time, the provider had a regulatory responsibility to provide good quality and safe service for the residents in a suitable premises.”
A HSE statement released this week following the HIQA report confirmed that a property, which was ready for occupation, has been extensively renovated in a nearby location for the residents of St. Martin’s House to relocate to on an interim basis. This is while new accommodation is being built within the area local to St. Martin’s House.
“Due to building development issues outside of HSE control, the original replacement accommodation identified for the residents of St. Martin’s House in their local area had been significantly delayed. The residents of St. Martin’s House moved to their newly renovated, interim property on 5th June 2024,” a HSE spokesperson said.
The HSE confirmed that safeguarding plans and risk assessments have undergone a review and update process.
In addition, residents’ care plans and risk assessments have also been reviewed and updated and Speech & Language Therapy recommendations have been implemented. Positive Behaviour Support Plans for residents have also been reviewed and updated as well. Staff training has been conducted, with staff completing modules on Human Rights Based Approaches. The HSE also confirmed that Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans have been reviewed and updated.
“The HSE will continue to work to maintain a high standard of quality care to the residents of St. Martins House both in their interim accommodation and in their future new home,” the spokesperson added.
An unannounced risk inspection at St Martin’s House Community Group Home found non-compliance in every area in April.
St Martin’s House provides care to four adults with a range of complex high-support needs, with three of those individuals living in the centre full-time.
The building was deemed “unsafe and unsuitable” for the assessed needs of the residents.
A new house is a larger town was renovated and ready for the residents to move into. However, at the time of the inspection, there were no specific plans for the move.
“Staff spoken with at the centre said that they were worried about the move and the impact it may have on the residents. When explored, they were unable to provide evidence of the accuracy of this view,” the HIQA report said.
The inspector found significant concerns over wheelchair access in the centre. The kitchen, dining room, utility room and back door were not freely accessible. The inspector noted that if residents required emergency evacuation from the premises, this would prove difficult and only possible via the front door.
Two residents were required to share a bedroom which had insufficient space for safe movement, transfer and comfort.
Non-compliances were also found in relation to health care, where recommendations to support non-verbal residents were not actioned, and in protection, where a resident reported to be hypersensitive to noise and environmental stimuli had to share a bedroom.
In 2016, St Martin’s House was deemed not suitable for the needs of the residents living
there and the provider was required to take action relating to the concerns identified. In 2022, the provider submitted a registration notification with the intention to cease the provision of the service at this location by May 2023 as they had identified an alternative house for the residents.
“In summary, the residents at this designated centre had a diverse range of high support needs and were living in a premise that was unsafe and unsuitable for their assessed needs.
“Although the provider was aware of this, and had identified a new property, they failed to complete the move to the new property at the time of inspection. Until that time, the provider had a regulatory responsibility to provide good quality and safe service for the residents in a suitable premises,” the inspector said.
