MHC statement on publication of inspection reports for four approved mental health centres
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has published four inspection reports for approved inpatient mental health centres across Kerry, Dublin and Mayo.
The centres inspected were:
- Highfield Hospital in Co. Dublin, which received 85% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- Deer Lodge in Co. Kerry, which received 88% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- Teach Aisling in Co. Mayo, which received 78% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
- St Joseph’s Intellectual Disability Service in Co. Dublin, which received 85% compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice.
The inspector found varying levels of compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice. Three centres were between 80-90% compliant, while a further centre was between 70-80% compliant.
The critical and high-risk non-compliances observed during the inspections were:
- Three high-risk non-compliances with the regulations on searches, premises, and risk management procedures at Highfield Hospital.
- Two high-risk non-compliances with the regulations on premises, and staffing at Deer Lodge.
- One critical risk non-compliance with the regulation on risk management procedures; and five high-risk non-compliances with the regulations on individual care plan; therapeutic services; premises; staffing; and maintenance of records at Teach Aisling.
- Two critical risk non-compliances with the regulation on risk management procedures, and the rule governing use of seclusion; and two high-risk non-compliances with the regulations on premises, and staffing at St Joseph’s Intellectual Disability Service.
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
