HIQA to start inspections at disability-services residential centres next year

on 30/10/2012 11:36:58

The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is due to start independent inspections of residential centres for people with disabilities next year.

However a government think-tank said today that while this new regulation of disability services is welcome, service users should be included in the process.

A report out today by the National Economic and Social Council recommends setting up a forum to monitor quality, comprising service providers, users and policy makers.

Author of the report Dr Jeanne Moore said all stakeholders in the disability sector should be involved in sharing best practice.

"At the moment, there is no formal regulation of disability services…You need to bring together all of the stakeholders to discuss quality issues, measuring and monitoring progress," she said.