Inspection of mental health units finds repeat failings

FAILINGS in mental health units across the country including “serious deficits” in services, “unacceptable” living conditions, and “insufficient” bathing facilities, have been highlighted in the 2008 Inspector of Mental Health Services report.

Among problems revealed in the report, children complained of a lack of a privacy while dressing and undressing, facilities that were understaffed, lacking therapeutic services and in need of redecoration and upgrading.

The report on 34 psychiatric hospitals, to be published later this year, also highlights a failure to implement recommendations from previous inspections.

One of the most serious offenders was St Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, which has been rapped by the inspectorate annually for a number years.

The report stated there are “unacceptable conditions” within the hospital with insufficient bathing facilities in the acute admissions wards.

Furniture in one ward, Willowbrook, was unacceptable, as was the lack of bed screens, the report states.

“It is disappointing to report again that the fabric of the building remained unchanged. Piecemeal maintenance and decoration had little impact on the quality of the environment for residents,” said inspector Dr Pat Devitt.

According to the document, clinical staff at the hospital expressed frustration as constant reporting of problems had no outcomes.

Service users voiced concern regarding the lack of bathing facilities, while ramps outside the female admissions ward did not meet regulations as the handrail was unsafe and about to fall.

One resident at the facility had been denied her liberty for a period of time with no recorded review, despite her status as that of a voluntary patient.

In Killarney, St Finan’s Hospital came under fire as “care continued to be provided in six wards despite assurances”. The inspectorate said it could see no justification for keeping one, Our Lady’s Ward, open.

Children at Warrenstown child and adolescent in-patient unit complained that there was a lack of activities and a lack of privacy.

Despite the grounds available there is no formal play area and no indoor physical recreational area.

The mental health unit at Cork University Hospital was found to be understaffed, lacking in therapeutic services and in need of redecoration and upgrading.

According to the report, the South Lee Adult Mental Health Unit, at CUH had no high observation area and did not have a full complement of rehabilitation staff.

Staff reported that there were less cleaning staff on the unit than in previous years and the same cleaning staff have to clean the unit and serve food.