| Nua Healthcare, which has seven specialist residential | | | | always strived to be the best in the field and achieving |
| facilities in Laois and Kildare, has become the first | | | | this status is a credit to all of our front-line staff who |
| internationally accredited Autism service provider in the | | | | have worked so hard over the past few years to get |
| Republic of Ireland. The UK-based National Autistic | | | | our service to where it is today.” |
| Society (NAS) awarded the accreditation in recognition | | | | The accreditation process involved the assessment of |
| of the high quality of residential care provided by the | | | | 17 core standards in relation to disability services, which |
| organisation, and said that the services were unique | | | | are similar to those identified by the Health Information |
| amongst more than 300 organisations which have | | | | and Quality Authority (HIQA) in Ireland. Nua Healthcare |
| been assessed worldwide. | | | | was then assessed on a further 15 standards which |
| “Nua Healthcare have achieved accredited | | | | are specific to Autism care, making this accreditation |
| status within twelve months of registering onto the | | | | process even more stringent than HIQA's. |
| programme,” the NAS said in a statement. | | | | Nua Healthcare was founded in 2004 by experienced |
| “This is an exceptional achievement and is rarely | | | | social care professionals to provide a specialist service |
| within this timeframe. The robustness of the | | | | for those with high functional Autism and Asperger |
| organisation is recognised by their proactive measures | | | | Syndrome. It cares for 25 individuals and employs 75 |
| to seek external recognition of their achievements and | | | | staff across its seven facilities at Portlaoise, Nurney, |
| in doing so become accredited by an internationally | | | | Naas, Kilcullen, Monasterevin and Portarlington. It offers |
| recognised organisation.” | | | | day services to complement its residential services, |
| Nua Healthcare has pioneered a fresh approach to | | | | and also operates facilities for individuals with learning |
| helping those with high functional Autism and Asperger | | | | disabilities. |
| Syndrome. Traditional treatments had forced individuals | | | | The international accreditation provides peace of mind |
| to fit into predefined care structures, but Nua | | | | for those using the facilities, as well as their families, |
| Healthcare designs a service to meet the need of | | | | who know they are receiving services from an |
| each person referred to it. | | | | organisation that adheres to international standards for |
| Those using the facilities enjoy a higher quality of life | | | | quality of care. |
| through increased independence and the provision of | | | | A 2007 study revealed that the prevalence of Autism |
| training courses and activities. Since achieving | | | | in children is one in 86. Asperger Syndrome is a high |
| accreditation, Nua Healthcare has been contacted by | | | | functioning form of Autism, and its prevalence is |
| service providers in France and Germany who are | | | | thought to be in the region of one in 300. An increase |
| considering replicating its model of care. | | | | in awareness of Asperger Syndrome over the last |
| “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved | | | | decade has meant a growth in the number of those |
| accredited status with such high | | | | being diagnosed. This trend is set to put immense |
| commendations,” says Edward Dunne, | | | | pressure on health services in the coming years. |
| Managing Director of Nua Healthcare. “We have | | | | |