A Tipperary centre for people with intellectual disabilities has failed to meet the majority of standards set down by the Health Information and Quality authority.
A report into an inspection of the Camphill Community in Grangemockler has been published today by the health watchdog.
HIQA carried out the unannounced inspection at the Camphill Community in Grangemockler over two days last August.
It followed the receipt of unsolicited information concerning a number of drug errors occurring in the centre as well as the staffing arrangements in place.
Concerns were also raised about the over reliance on co-workers or volunteers in providing care and support to the residents.
An inspection in November 2016 found good levels of compliance following which the centre was registered with HIQA early in 2017.
However since then a number of core staff members have left the service with the resulting vacancies yet to be filled. A new group of co-workers had started volunteering in the centre.
The inspection of the Camphill Community facility in Grangemockler found that despite the best efforts of the person in charge residents were in receipt of a service that was unsafe and not meeting some of their assessed needs.
Of the five areas examined four were found to have major non-compliances. The Health Information and Quality Authority inspectors found that practices regarding the administration of medication required urgent review.
They met with a number of staff members during the two day visit as well as speaking briefly with 3 of the 19 residents in the centre at the time.
For their part the Camphill Community has already taken steps to address the failings highlighted – with new staff recruited along with significant training.
