Inspection reports find two critical and nine high risk ratings in two mental health centres
On Wednesday 22nd January 2020, The Mental Health Commission published two inspection reports from approved centres in Dublin and Laois which identified two critical and nine areas of high risk non-compliance.
The two approved centres involved are as follows;
Department of Psychiatry, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, Co Laois: a centre operating at a maximum capacity of 46 residents was rated critical non-compliant in the use of electro-convulsive therapy and received two high risk non-compliance ratings for therapeutic services and programmes and premises. There were six compliances with regulations that were rated as excellent.
Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght Hospital: is a 52-bed acute mental health unit which has had an overall decrease in compliance with regulations from 63% compliance in 2017 to 56% compliance in 2019. The centre was rated critical non-compliant in individual care planning and received seven high risk non-compliance ratings for general health, use of CCTV, staffing, maintenance of records, policies and procedures, use of seclusion, and Part 4 of the Mental Health Act 2001 - consent to treatment. Three compliances with regulations were rated excellent.
The two approved centres introduced quality initiatives which were identified on inspection. In the Department of Psychiatry, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, a room for reflection was introduced in the male admission unit. In the Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght Hospital they established a fresh air group, which aimed to improve residents’ physical health with plans to implement a tobacco free campus in 2019.
Commenting on the reports, Dr Susan Finnerty, Inspector of Mental Health Services, said: “Having a critical risk rating is a very serious finding by the Inspectors. Both approved centres received critical risk ratings; one for use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and the other for individual care planning. There are very strict rules governing the use of ECT. While ECT can be an effective evidence based treatment for some severe and persistent mental illnesses, a programme of ECT shall not be administered to a patient, unless the patient gives his or her consent in writing if deemed to be capable of consenting.
The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly said “There were nine admissions of children under the age of 18 years to the Department of Psychiatry, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. Admitting children to an adult acute unit is neither suitable or acceptable in our mental health services. Age-appropriate facilities and a programme of activities was not provided for these children. Access to CAMHS in-patient beds is a significant challenge. Waiting times for CAMHS remains unacceptably long. There had been a lack of investment in this area which has resulted in children and young people being admitted to adult psychiatric units. This practice has to cease and is not tolerable to the Mental Health Commission.”
Read our full statement here.
