Leitrim Group Home now achieves highest standard assessment and compliance

Leitrim Group Home, run by North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, has now achieved the highest standard assessment and compliance with its external quality accreditation certificate from IQ Improving Quality at the Progression level. 

The Quality Accreditation comprises four elements, i.e. Accountable; Welcoming; Effective and Sustainable. In total, 35 quality standards have to be met. 

Dr Nigel McCarley, North West Parents and Friends Association, Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a major (public) endorsement of the quality of services that our staff deliver across all our facilities.

“North West Parents and Friends is the first organisation in Ireland to have been accredited at the highest level, and all staff should be proud to be part of this achievement”. 

The external quality certification, issued on July 6, came after the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA) latest report, published in June 2023, that flagged major improvements needed in the Sunbeam Lodge Community Group Home. 

The home was deemed ‘non-compliant’ in nine out of twelve categories, with compliance noted only in staffing and healthcare. 

Dr McCarley contacted the Leitrim Observer this week with updates regarding the HIQA report findings. 

“The service has recently been inspected once again by HIQA, and the assessment report was extremely positive”, he said. 

No further details on this inspection were provided.