Mental Health Commission issues proceedings against Cork HSE centre
20 October 2022The Mental Health Commission (MHC) appeared before the district court in Cork City this week in relation to proceedings issued against the Health Service Executive (HSE).
As noted in court, the case concerns the breach of a condition attached to the registration of the inpatient mental health centre at St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire, Co. Cork. As also noted in court, conditions are generally attached further to breaches of regulations and patient safety issues.
The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly said: “While I am unable to comment further on this specific matter, it is clear from recent inspection reports and our 2021 annual report that there are significant issues in several inpatient mental health centres in the Cork region that need to be addressed.
“The reports indicate a need for the HSE to improve governance, management and oversight of investment in Cork, particularly when they have shown in other areas and in other counties a clear capability to wisely use the funds allocated to it by the State. In the interim, where we see significant breaches of conditions, the MHC is forced, under law, to use our enforcement powers, up to and including prosecution.”