Organisation: Mental Health Commission

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Mental Health Commission head clashes with TD over Owenacurra closure
Mental Health Commission head clashes with TD over Owenacurra closure
MHC chief executive John Farrelly had testy exchange with Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan during Oireachtas committee meeting

Thu, 08 Dec, 2022

Mental Health Commission to discuss Owenacurra this week at Oireachtas committee 
Mental Health Commission to discuss Owenacurra this week at Oireachtas committee 
The move, and the commission's likely appearance before the PAC, comes in the wake of relatives' concerns over the centre

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Kerry children get treatment online from doctor in UAE as key mental health role remains vacant
Kerry children get treatment online from doctor in UAE as key mental health role remains vacant
Months after damning report, post remains vacant and children are getting therapy from the United Arab Emirates

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Mental Health Commission set to explain planned Owenacurra closure to Oireachtas committee
Mental Health Commission set to explain planned Owenacurra closure to Oireachtas committee
The MHC is also set to appear before the Public Accounts Committee at some stage in the new year

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Mental Health Commission drops court action against Cork psychiatric hospital
Mental Health Commission drops court action against Cork psychiatric hospital
The withdrawal of the prosecution follows four specific assurances by the HSE

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Relatives of Owenacurra residents 'distraught' at claims 'appropriate safeguards' are in place at facility
Relatives of Owenacurra residents 'distraught' at claims 'appropriate safeguards' are in place at facility
Relatives said the impression they have is 'that key authorities are detaching themselves from their responsibilities'

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Hospital surgery corridor
Concerns over mental health units in Limerick and Dublin
The country's mental health watchdog has raised concerns over two centres — one in Dublin and one in Limerick — including insufficient staffing, the finding of hazards such as a discarded razor, and poorly maintained facilities.

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Mental Health Commission 'repeatedly sought assurances' from HSE over Owenacurra closure
Mental Health Commission 'repeatedly sought assurances' from HSE over Owenacurra closure
'We have repeatedly sought assurances from the registered proprietor that residents are being individually consulted to ensure their will and preferences regarding placement are upheld,' MHC spokesperson told Oireachtas committee

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

Commission reports 'should not be weaponised' to close Owenacurra facility, says TD
Commission reports 'should not be weaponised' to close Owenacurra facility, says TD
The MHC declined to comment when approached for a response to Ms Hourigan’s statements

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

HSE claims to have earmarked funds for Bantry mental health facility at centre of court row
HSE claims to have earmarked funds for Bantry mental health facility at centre of court row
The Mental Health Commission wants the HSE to renovate the facility that has been the subject of criticism across a number of MHC inspection reports.

Wed, 26 Oct, 2022

Cork psychiatric hospital taken to court over 'suitability of ward for admission of patients'
Cork psychiatric hospital taken to court over 'suitability of ward for admission of patients'
The court heard a breach of a condition of registration allegedly occurred at the acute ward of St Stephen's Hospital

Wed, 19 Oct, 2022

Ban imposed on use of handcuffs and legcuffs on children in mental health services 
Ban imposed on use of handcuffs and legcuffs on children in mental health services 
The Mental Health Commission's new code of practice will come into effect on January 1, 2023, and includes an outright ban on mechanical restraints on children

Wed, 28 Sep, 2022

HSE will engage with Mental Health Commission over Bantry services ahead of court date
HSE will engage with Mental Health Commission over Bantry services ahead of court date
It is understood there are concerns over safety levels at the unit, with the building deemed outdated and not fit-for-purpose.

Mon, 26 Sep, 2022

FINLAND-PRISION
Sarah Harte: We need political courage and social confidence to change our penal philosophy
Upon visiting American prisons, philosopher Alexis De Tocqueville and prison reformer Gustave de Baumont wrote in 1832, “guard against extremes and do not let the zeal with which you advocate certain means obscure the object sought to ...

Fri, 15 Jul, 2022

Money buys better mental health treatment, commission warns
Money buys better mental health treatment, commission warns
The Mental Health Commission has warned that financial status is having an increasing impact on the level of mental health treatment patients can access.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2022

Minister wanted South Kerry Camhs audit to cover case files for all diagnoses, not just ADHD
Minister wanted South Kerry Camhs audit to cover case files for all diagnoses, not just ADHD
The HSE told an Oireachtas committee that the audit would be limited to young people with an ADHD diagnosis, just days after Minister Mary Butler sought a broader investigation

Tue, 10 May, 2022

Mental health professional takes notes during session
Eating disorders: 50 patients on waiting list for treatment at new centre
A centre for eating disorders which opened a year ago has just taken in its first six in-patients. Another 50 patients are also on a waiting list for treatment.

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

FILE PHOTO The Mental Health Commission has published a paper claiming the current level of testing of staff for Covid-19 across
Over 5,000 cases of restrictive practices used in mental health services
Seclusion, mechanical restraint or physical restraint should never be regarded as a therapeutic practice, the Mental Health Commission said

Fri, 31 Dec, 2021

FILE PHOTO The Mental Health Commission has published a paper claiming the current level of testing of staff for Covid-19 across
One in 20 could use new service to replace current wards of court system
The new personal decision-making assistance service is due to become operational next year

Thu, 02 Dec, 2021

Oireachtas to hear of 'serious' concerns around closure of Cork mental health facility
Oireachtas to hear of 'serious' concerns around closure of Cork mental health facility
Neasa Hourigan, Green Party spokesperson on health and member of the Sub-committee on Mental Health,  said: “I have a serious concern that once this facility is closed that the service is gone."

Fri, 03 Sep, 2021

Cork mental health unit criticised for locking patients' bedrooms 12 hours a day
Cork mental health unit criticised for locking patients' bedrooms 12 hours a day
The ward in St Finbarr’s Hospital was found by the Mental Health Commission to be non-compliant in 10 areas altogether

Wed, 25 Aug, 2021

Sillhouette of a sad and problematic young man sitting next to a window light source. Mental health concept
HSE 'strongly urged' to keep Cork mental health centre open
The proposed closure of a residential mental health centre in east Cork would be a “gravely retrograde step” for the care of the vulnerable residents, a clinical psychologist has said.

Sun, 15 Aug, 2021

Eating disorder clinic did not 'formally document' resident's attempt at self-harm
Eating disorder clinic did not 'formally document' resident's attempt at self-harm
The Lois Bridges Unit achieved 85% compliance on the most recent inspection, a decrease of 14% on the previous year.

Thu, 12 Aug, 2021

Cork care centre got favourable inspection just months before HSE closure decision 
Cork care centre got favourable inspection just months before HSE closure decision 
The Mental Health Commission reported that the Owenacurra Centre was “in a good state of repair” in February, but the HSE said in June it was “not fit for purpose”

Tue, 10 Aug, 2021

Depressed woman
Mixed reaction to plans for mental health crisis teams
Mental health groups welcome pilot but psychiatric nurses say it falls short of recommendations

Tue, 27 Jul, 2021

George Nkencho death
Crisis intervention teams to be piloted in Limerick city in wake of George Nkencho killing
Emergency response teams including gardaí and mental health professionals will be piloted in the city as early as next April

Thu, 22 Jul, 2021

John Farrelly
Inspections find 'completely unacceptable' conditions at mental health centres
Two of the centres were rated as a fire risk, while one has a crumbling wall which is a hazard to service users and staff

Fri, 18 Jun, 2021

Scales of justice with judge gavel on table
Cork psychiatric facility 'not fit for purpose', court hears
Mental Health Commission 'very concerned about the safety of people' in Carrigmore psychiatric facility in Cork, which caters for 18 vulnerable patients

Sat, 01 May, 2021

John Farrelly
Mental health facilities show high compliance and responded well to Covid-19 challenges, commission finds
Two of three facilities inspected in 2020 were 100% compliant with standards

Fri, 19 Mar, 2021

John Farrelly
'Unacceptable' facilities and buildings undermining mental health services
Longstanding or outdated design flaws in buildings reviewed for the report include the presence of ligature anchor points, poor ventilation, and insufficient or unsuitable furniture

Thu, 25 Feb, 2021

FILE PHOTO The Mental Health Commission has published a paper claiming the current level of testing of staff for Covid-19 across
Fire doors propped open by chairs and incomplete patient plans found in mental health inspection
A fire extinguisher was rendered ineffective because it was covered in tape, report noted

Fri, 29 Jan, 2021

Coronavirus - Mon Dec 21, 2020
Psychiatrists want patients and staff 'immediately' included in Covid vaccination rollout
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland also said the inability of the Central Mental Hospital to take in new patients was the result of underfunding in the psychiatric services and weak State governance

Wed, 20 Jan, 2021

Government can't end placement of children in adult psychiatric wards 
Government can't end placement of children in adult psychiatric wards 
The Government has admitted it is impossible to end the "unacceptable" practice of placing children in adult psychiatric units.

Thu, 24 Dec, 2020

Mental Health Commission to hold public consultation on seclusion and restraint
Mental Health Commission to hold public consultation on seclusion and restraint
The commission's latest report shows 6,747 episodes were reported to it last year

Fri, 18 Dec, 2020

Mental health facilities 'must be improved' before new Covid-19 surge
Mental health facilities 'must be improved' before new Covid-19 surge
The Mental Health Commission has warned that facilities for people with serious mental health issues need to be improved ahead of any second wave of Covid-19 after finding that  31% of the facilities it monitored in the initial surge of the virus ...

Thu, 24 Sep, 2020

Mental health inspector criticises standards in approved centres
Mental health inspector criticises standards in approved centres
The Inspector of Mental Health Facilities has criticised standards in approved centres and said it is "stigmatising and discriminatory" that residents are likely to live up to 20 years less than their peers in the general community.

Thu, 02 Jul, 2020

Mental health services in Ireland ‘outdated’ - commission
Mental health services in Ireland ‘outdated’ - commission
The Mental Health Commission has said people using services are too often seen as "second class citizens" as its latest report showed many relying on old, dirty and outdated facilities.

Thu, 02 Jul, 2020

Ireland's mental health care languishes ‘30 years behind UK’ - commission executive
Ireland's mental health care languishes ‘30 years behind UK’ - commission executive
Ireland's mental health system is "30 years behind" its UK counterpart according to the Mental Health Commission's chief executive.

Thu, 02 Jul, 2020

Dr Susan Finnerty: Rundown mental health system needs a major overhaul
Dr Susan Finnerty: Rundown mental health system needs a major overhaul
We need to improve our sub-standard mental health services, but without adequate funding that won’t happen, writes Susan Finnerty .

Thu, 02 Jul, 2020

Funding call for ‘long-awaited’ assisted decision-making service
Funding call for ‘long-awaited’ assisted decision-making service
A long-awaited service to assist people with limited capacity to make decisions about their personal welfare, property and financial affairs has urged political parties to prioritise funding and legislation to enable the service to finally open in 2022.

Fri, 22 May, 2020

New government needs to 'own' new mental health strategy – MHC Chief
New government needs to 'own' new mental health strategy – MHC Chief
An updated mental health strategy should not be published until a new government is in place, says the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission.

Thu, 21 May, 2020

Watchdog assessing Covid-19 risk for mental health centres and facilities
Watchdog assessing Covid-19 risk for mental health centres and facilities
The Mental Health Commission is monitoring and risk-assessing how well prepared mental health facilities and care homes are to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Thu, 16 Apr, 2020

No privacy screens between beds at Cork mental health facility
No privacy screens between beds at Cork mental health facility

An inspection of a mental health facility in Cork found its residents were not receiving adequate privacy or outdoor space.

Mon, 16 Mar, 2020

The Irish Examiner View: Reports show value of checks
The Irish Examiner View: Reports show value of checks

The Mental Health Commission published three inspection reports yesterday. Two were positive. An Coillín, in Mayo, and Dublin’s Highfield Hospital improved overall compliance, by 10% and 9% , but the third unit — St Michael’s, in the Mercy University Hospital in Cork — saw its compliance rating drop by a substantial, worrying 8%.

Mon, 09 Mar, 2020

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