Ten high risk ratings in two out of three mental health centres

Today, on Thursday 29th August 2019, The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has published three inspection reports from approved centres in Kildare, Louth and Galway which identified 10 areas of high risk non-compliance in two out of the three centres.    

The three centres involved are as follows; 

Lakerview Unit, Naas General Hospital: which is registered for 29 beds and cares for all acute mental health admissions serving a population currently exceeding 241,538 in the communities of Kildare and West Wicklow. The centre had seven high risk non-compliances at the time of inspection for privacy; premises; staffing; register of residents; use of seclusion; mental health tribunals and admission of children. There were 15 areas of excellence at the time of the inspection.  

St Ita's Ward, St Brigid's Hospital, Ardee Co Louth: the last in-patient unit still functioning within the hospital campus and currently registered for 20 beds. The centre has three high risk non-compliances in the areas of general health; staffing and ordering, prescribing, storing and administration of medicines. 

Creagh Suite, St Brigid’s Healthcare Campus, St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe: registered for 14 beds and the centre is a long-stay, continuing-care facility for residents living with dementia and experiencing psychological and behavioural symptoms of that illness.  There was excellent overall compliance with regulations at 97%, an improvement from 73% in 2018 and 14 compliances with regulations that were rated excellent.  

All three approved centres had a number of best practice initiatives highlighted in the inspection reports. Creagh Suite had developed residents’ life storybooks as part of their person-centred approach to care and had recently won a HSE staff recognition award for this project. Lakeview Unit in Naas had introduced a de-escalation area, created to minimise episodes of aggression and the need for seclusion. St Ita’s in St Brigid’s Hospital had introduced a social farming and horticultural initiative and operated the ‘Music in Mind’ initiative, an eight-week programme providing tailored percussion and choral workshops to residents.  

Commenting on the reports, Dr Susan Finnerty, Inspector of Mental Health Services, said: “It is heartening to see Creagh Suite, St Brigid’s Healthcare Campus reaching such a high level of compliance. This provides an example to other approved centres and holds out the hope for patients and families that high levels of compliance are possible and can be achieved”  

Mr. John Farrelly, Chief Executive Mental Health Commission added: “The contrast between a centre with 97% compliance in Galway and less than satisfactory findings in Louth and Kildare is stark. The Commission’s evidence is that the mental health service is inconsistent across the country despite being run by same provider. This indicates a deficit in the governance and management of our mental health services.” 

You can read our statement in full here.