HIQA finds Ability West failed to prevent peer-to-peer abuse at Portumna facility

Galway Bay fm newsroom – HIQA has found that locks had to be fitted to doors in an attempt to prevent peer-to-peer attacks at an Ability West facility in Portumna
The discovery was made during 2-day unannounced visit to the Ash Services centre for people with intellectual disabilities in September.
The inspector found that 11 residents were locked in rooms for up to 45 minutes without a reason being given.
In addition, staff did not identify ‘continuous peer-to-peer abuse.’
One resident living in the centre refused to walk the hallway unaccompanied out of fear of attack, and locks were placed on doors into communal areas such as the sitting room, dining room and kitchen to prevent conflict.
The centre displayed major non-compliances across half of the 10 areas reviewed during the visit.
A series of actions have now been recommended in a bid to improve standards at the facility.