MHC statement 16.06.2025 on publication of inspection reports for six approved mental health centres
MHC statement on publication of inspection reports for six approved mental health centres
The MHC has published six inspection reports for approved inpatient mental health centres across Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Louth and Mayo.
The centres inspected were:
- the Adult Mental Health Unit, Mayo University Hospital, which received 69% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
- St Aloysius Ward, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, which received 69% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
- Drogheda Department of Psychiatry, Louth, which received 71% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
- Lakeview Unit, Naas General Hospital, Kildare, which received 80% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
- St Michael’s Unit, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, which received 84% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
- Units 2,3,4, and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen’s Hospital, Cork, which received 60% compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice.
The inspector found varying levels of compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice. Two centres were between 80-90% compliant; a further one was between 70-80% compliant, while three centres were between 60-70% compliant.
The critical and high non-compliances observed during the inspections were:
- Seven high risk non-compliances with the regulations on individual care plan; general health; privacy; premises, staffing; with the rules governing the use of selection; and with the code of practice on admission, transfer and discharge at the Adult Mental Health Unit, Mayo University Hospital.
- Five high risk non-compliances with the regulations on privacy; premises; risk management procedures; with the rules governing the use of seclusion; and with the code of practice on the use of physical restraint at St Aloysius Ward, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
- One critical risk non-compliance with the regulation on general health; and three high risk non-compliances with the regulation on risk management procedures; with the rules governing the use of seclusion; and with the code of practice on admission, transfer and discharge at Drogheda Department of Psychiatry.
- Six high risk non-compliances with the regulations on individual care plan; premises; maintenance of records; with the rules governing the use of selection; with the code of practice on the use of physical restraint; and with the code of practice on admission, transfer and discharge to and from an approved centre at Lakeview Unit, Naas General Hospital.
- One critical risk non-compliance with the regulation on premises; and four high risk non-compliances with the regulations on privacy; staffing; risk management procedures; and with the code of practice on admission, transfer and discharge at St Michael’s Unit, Mercy University Hospital.
- Five high risk non-compliances with the regulations on individual care plan; premises; staffing; risk management procedures; and with the rules governing mechanical restraint at Units 2,3,4, and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen’s Hospital.
The MHC requires corrective and preventive actions plans (CAPAs) from all services where non-compliances are identified, each of which must address each non-compliance specifically. The MHC monitors the implementation of these CAPAs on an ongoing basis and requests further information and action as necessary.
Enforcement action is taken when the MHC is concerned that the care and treatment provided in an approved centre may be at risk to the safety, health and wellbeing of residents, or where there has been a failure by the provider to address an ongoing area of non-compliance.
All critical risk issues are considered by the MHC’s Regulatory Management Team (RMT) as a matter of course. Enforcement actions commonly arise from inspection findings, quality and safety notifications, and compliance monitoring. Enforcement actions available to the MHC range from the aforementioned CAPAs (at the lower end of enforcement) to removing an approved centre from the register and/or pursuing prosecution (at the higher end).
Links to the annual inspection reports
