One-in-five patients in mental hospitals against will

ONE-IN-FIVE patients is detained in psychiatric hospitals in Ireland against his/her will, a figure that has been described as “disturbingly high” by former Inspector of Mental Hospitals Dr Dermot Walsh.

Dr Walsh, who is principal investigator of the Health Research Board, was commenting on the board’s latest annual report on activities in psychiatric inpatient units and hospitals.

He pointed out that the proportion of people being detained against their will was now almost twice as high as involuntary admissions that was also too high at 11%.