MHC finds 12 high risk ratings in three mental health centres, including incorrect child admissions
On Monday 14th October 2019, we published three inspection reports from approved centres in Waterford, Clare and Cork which identified twelve areas of high risk non-compliance in three centres. These reports also found that eight children had been admitted to one adult mental health service.
The three approved centres involved are as follows;
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Waterford. Co. Waterford: the approved centre struggles to achieve compliance with regulations. Seven non-compliances were rated high risk in this inspection for person property and possessions, premises, staffing, use of CCTV, register of residents, use of physical restraint and admission of children. Eight children had also been admitted since the last inspection in July 2018 and their admission of children policy did not address the correct procedures.
Acute Psychiatric Unit, Ennis Hospital, Co Clare: a 39-bed unit providing acute in-patient mental health care to a total catchment area of approximately 220,000 people. The centre had three high risk ratings for personal property and possessions, individual care planning and general health. Eight compliances with regulation were rated excellent, an improvement from four in 2018.
Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, Co Cork: caters for up to 24 residents. Compliance with regulations has increased over the last three years and compliance with three regulations was rated as excellent. There were two high risk non-compliances for therapeutic services and programmes and privacy.
The three approved centres had a number of best practice initiatives which are highlighted in the inspection reports. The Acute Psychiatric Unit Ennis Hospital had developed the ‘Seclusion Care Plan’. The Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Waterford had introduced an Electronic Register of Residents introduced January 2019. The Owenacurra Centre, Cork received training by the Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Service on the topic of personalised communication booklets or communication passports as part of a person centres planning approach.
Commenting on the inspection report, Dr Susan Finnerty, Inspector of Mental Health Services, said: admitting any child to an adult service should only occur in exceptional circumstances. Children, continue to be admitted to adult mental health centres despite the absence of age-appropriate facilities and a programme of activities.”
John Farrelly, Chief Executive Mental Health Commission, said “the continued admission of children and adolescents to adult mental health units is totally unacceptable yet it is still a common feature of mental health care practice in Ireland. The shortage of operational beds in dedicated child units, and the provision of unsuitable adult facilities for children is not the solution to the mental health care needs of children”.
You can read our full statement here.
