HSE take over Kinnegad autism unit

The HSE has taken over the running of a residential centre for people with autism in Kinnegad after HIQA inspectors raised concerns about the welfare of residents.

Cluain Farm residential unit, which had been run by the Irish Society for Autism (ISA), was taken over by the HSE in May.

In a report published today, HIQA said that it had cancelled the ISA's registration after the organisation failed to implement a series of recommendations made by inspectors following four inspections of the centre between November 2014 and January of this year.

"These inspections found evidence of poor outcomes for residents and areas of risk relating to health and safety, risk management, social care needs, safeguarding and safety, governance and management, use of resources and workforce. Poor managerial oversight and governance arrangements were also a recurrent finding," the report stated.