Donegal Cheshire Apartments judged fully compliant in latest HIQA inspection

Donegal Cheshire Apartments were judged to be fully compliant across all categories in an inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The unannounced inspection was carried out by lead inspector Catherine Glynn from November 3-4, 2025.

Donegal Cheshire Apartments in Letterkenny provides full-time residential care and support to adults, male and female, with a disability from the age of 30 years old. The centre is a single-storey dwelling that can accommodate up to 12 residents, and the centre was at full capacity on the date of inspection.

As described by the HIQA report: “Each resident has their own self-contained apartment comprising a kitchen, dining and lounge area and a bedroom with en-suite bathrooms which were accessible to people with mobility issues. There are also communal areas including a lounge, two large activity rooms, two conservatories and additional bathroom facilities. 

“Residents are supported by a team of social care workers, along with additional nursing support being provided during the week. Residents are supported with their assessed needs by between three and four staff during the day and at evening. Overnight, there are two staff, one sleepover staff and one waking staff.”

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Overall, no non-compliances were found during the inspection. The HIQA report states that the service provided by Donegal Cheshire Apartments is “focused on residents' care, support needs and was person-centred, ensuring that residents enjoyed their time in the centre”.

Staff were praised in the report for their knowledge of each resident and for focusing on the resident's plans, activities and goals.

The inspector found the centre to be “spacious, well-maintained, laid out in accordance with the support needs of residents”, with “suitable private and communal space” for residents to relax and interact.

Over the course of the inspection, “the inspector met with six staff on duty, the person in charge, a clinical nurse manager, a care coordinator, a regional clinical partner and two frontline staff”. Relevant documentation was reviewed, and staff were found to be “very familiar” with online systems at the centre.

Staff were noted to have up-to-date training, and staff arrangements were found to be “suited to the needs of residents”.

The inspector also met with five residents over the course of the inspection. Residents were observed “smiling and interacting with staff in a very positive and respectful manner” throughout the inspection.

“Residents told the inspector that the staff were very responsive, supportive and kind in their interaction,” the report states.

“Staff were focused on supporting the residents to ensure their stay promoted compatibility, appropriate activities reflecting their abilities and choices at all times. Furthermore, the staff team were focused on providing residents with a positive and enjoyable time while they lived in this centre.”

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Overall, the inspection found that “residents living in Donegal Cheshire Apartments had meaningful days, and support was provided by a staff team who knew residents' needs very well.”

The centre was judged Compliant across all regulations under Capacity and capability and Quality and safety.