MHC statement 16.09.2025 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 Dublin, Galway and Mayo.
The centres inspected were:
- Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, Dublin 8, which received 100% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- An Coillín, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, which received 81% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, which received 83% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- St Patrick’s Hospital, Lucan, Co. Dublin, which received 100% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- Bloomfield Hospital, Dublin 16, which received 94% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- Woodview, Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway, which received 100% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
The inspector found generally high levels of compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice. Three centres were 100% compliant; one centre was between 90-100% compliant, while a further two centres were between 80-90% compliant.
Some areas of good practices observed over the course of the inspections included:
- St Patrick’s University Hospital continued to develop their patient portal, which now provides residents with access to digital copies of information booklets on diagnosis, skills and recovery.
- An ‘Emergency Grab Bag’ was introduced at Bloomfield Hospital for use outdoors if a resident, staff member or visitor has a fall/accident on the grounds of the hospital.
- Specific staff training in ‘calm down methods’ and ‘discharge messages’ within the ‘Safewards Initiative’ was introduced at Woodview.
- Willow Grove made available a course for all parents of young people receiving inpatient treatment that promotes effective communication and positive relationships within families.
High-risk non-compliances observed during the inspections were:
- Four high-risk non-compliances with regulations on therapeutic services and programmes; premises; staffing; and risk management procedures at An Coillín.
- Three high-risk non-compliances with regulations on individual care plans; premises; and staffing at St John of God 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 Reports
