(19 May 2009)
The HSE today welcomes the formal publication of the first draft National Quality Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
The standards represent a significant milestone in ongoing quality improvements in the delivery of residential services for people with disabilities.
The draft standards, prepared by HIQA, will give clear direction and focus to all providers, statutory and non statutory, on the need for continuous quality improvement. The HSE is pleased that many providers have already adopted comprehensive quality management approaches including internationally recognised accreditation. However, the publication of national standards will now help ensure that all providers, statutory and non statutory, achieve minimum standards of quality and care.
Seven key principles frame the standards which aim to bring consistency across residential services for people with disabilities. These include;
- A good quality of life for those living in residential services for people with disabilities.
- Those with disabilities living in residential services should feel safe.
- The rights of people with disabilities who live in residential services should be upheld and promoted.
- They should not be discriminated against.
- Services should be person-centred.
- Standards should encourage community integration.
- Residential services should be well run.
We welcome what the standards aim to achieve and the way in which providers are encouraged to be creative in this regard.
The standards were prepared by HIQA, in consultation with the HSE, service providers, service users and other stakeholders.
The Executive has initiated discussions with providers which aim to implement the draft standards as soon as possible. Providers will be required, under service arrangements with the HSE, to provide feedback, on a regular basis, on progress in relation to compliance. The initial focus will be on improving standards of quality and care within current resources and existing physical infrastructure
The HSE is currently implementing new service arrangement documentation with service providers. These documents emphasise the responsibilities of service providers in relation to quality and risk management.