Report slams inadequate psychiatric services

PATIENTS with mental health needs are still not getting proper access to therapeutic services and individual care plans are not being followed though, according to the Mental Health Commission’s latest inspection.

The commission found that hospitals were largely compliant with the required standards but failings centred around a lack of access to multi-disciplinary teams, antiquated buildings and a lack of policies for those with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs.

At the psychiatric ward at St Dympna’s Hospital in Carlow, the commission found that since their last inspection, provision of therapeutic programmes had improved to minimal standards but “additional improvement is still needed”.