MHC finds two critical risks and nine high-risk ratings in three mental health centres
Focused inspection reports from MHC in September 2019 have identified a critical risk in a Galway Unit with inadequate facilities for patients at Mental Health Tribunals. The reports have also identified areas of other critical risks and high risk non-compliance from approved centres in Waterford and Dublin.
The three centres involved are as follows;
Grangemore and St Aidans Wards, St Otteran’s Hospital, Waterford: Grangemore is a rehabilitation and recovery unit and St. Aidan’s ward operates under the Psychiatry of Older Adult team. The number of registered beds is 40. There continues to be low compliance (68%) with regulations. Six non-compliances were rated high risk; transfer of residents, privacy, premises, use of CCTV, staffing and maintenance of records. Therapeutic services and programmes were rated critical risk.
Le Brun House & Whitethorn House, Vergemount Mental Health Facility Clonskeagh Hospital: located within the grounds of Clonskeagh Hospital near Ranelagh, the centre was registered for 34 beds at the time of the inspection. The centre had three high risk non-compliances in the areas of therapeutic services and programmes, general health and staffing.
Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, University Hospital Galway: a newly built two-storey facility, located on the grounds of the University Hospital Galway site which is registered for 50 beds. There are critical risk concerns related to the provision of appropriate private facilities and adequate resources to support the Mental Health Tribunal process.
Two of the approved centres had a number of best practice initiatives highlighted in the inspection reports. Grangemore and St Aidans Wards, St Otteran’s Hospital in Waterford had developed a new multi-purpose room in the Grangemore Ward, which was used as a relaxation or visitors’ room. Le Brun in Vergemount Mental Health Facility Clonskeagh Hospital had added individual lockers to each resident’s room providing extra space to safely store their belongings in their bedrooms.
The Commission has issued an Immediate Action Notice to address the concerns identified in University Hospital Galway and has been engaging with the approved centre to ensure the service is meeting the needs of patients attending a Mental Health Tribunal.
Mr. John Farrelly, Chief Executive Mental Health Commission, said: “The lack of progress in Grangemore and St Aidans Wards in Waterford is disappointing. The provision of safe, compliant, high-quality care should not be available on a post code lottery basis. People in the South East region should receive the same quality of acute mental health services as provided in other HSE approved centres throughout Ireland.“
You can read our full statement here.
