Protection of mental health staff key to supporting inpatient services during COVID-19

We believe that the ongoing protection of mental health staff from COVID-19 is key to ensuring the support of services across Ireland’s inpatient units.

The MHC Covid monitoring hub, which has been in operation since March 2020, has this morning reported a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week across inpatient mental health services.

The latest figures show that of the 379 suspected or confirmed cases, more than 260 (69%) are staff. In addition, out of a total of 185 services currently being monitored by the MHC, there are 22 services with an open outbreak status, and 63 services reporting active cases.

At present, MHC monitoring activities indicate that services that are reporting cases are in a position to provide cover for staff who are isolating; have enough PPE in reserve; and can access testing quickly without any delay in the provision of results. These services have also provided assurances that they are in contact with public health and are following the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance.

“I welcome how health staff and management are tackling this new progressive increase in COVID-19 cases,” said the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly. “However, the sheer number of cases in the community is resulting in more pressure on an already overburdened system. We need to be cognisant that protecting our staff and ensuring that they remain healthy is key to the ongoing support of inpatient mental health services across the State. In that light, we would urge the public to take on board all public health advice to support our health staff and the wider health system and combat the spread of COVID-19.”

You can read our full statement here.