Nurses seek dedicated child facility

NURSES’ representatives at a Limerick psychiatric hospital have called for a dedicated children’s unit, to end the practice of placing them in a secure adult ward.

SIPTU, which represents psychiatric staff at St Joseph's Hospital, confirmed that a 12-year-old girl was admitted to unit 5B in Dooradoyle in early December last year and remained there until up to a fortnight ago. A 14-year-old autistic boy has been resident in 5B for 18 months.

SIPTU spokesman Tony Doody said 5B, an acute admissions unit, was not suitable for care of children.