Positive changes noted at special care facility in Limerick
SIGNIFICANT improvements have been made at a special care facility in Limerick city since a damning report was published last summer.
The Health, Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published a report relating to an unannounced inspection of Coovagh House, Mulgrave Street last October.
The inspection, which took place over three days, was to assess whether or not progress had been made in relation to compliance with regulations put in place to protect staff and children.
Coovagh House, which is located on the St Joseph's Health Campus, caters for young people who cannot be managed in a non-secure environment and who present with risk taking behaviours which are deemed as posing a real and substantial risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or welfare.
In a report, published in June 2022, HIQA found many instances of non compliance with regulations. However, the authority says Coovagh House has now “significantly” improved since.
The latest report states that there great improvements have been made to meet the 12 regulation standards which were unmet at the inspection last year.
In particular, there were significant improvements relating to fire safety protocols at the facility. Improvements to these protocols included the reinstatement of the laundry room fire door, recent fire alarm services, fire safety training documents updated, repairs to property damage and simulated drills each.
The report also notes that each young person has been provided with a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP).
Reacting to the HIQA report and its findings, Donal McCormack of Tusla said: “We are pleased this report recognises our commitment to improving the service we provide to promote and protect the welfare and safety of children in care.”
As the facility is a special care unit, and the children are brought there with regular oversight of the High Court, McCormack added: “Due to the level of trauma the children and young people we work with have experienced in their lives, we strive to provide a safe environment for both the children in care and staff.”