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”.

They also noted a lack of recreation facilities, with no exercise programmes at all available at the weekend. At weekends, patients only had access to a television, an exercise bike and a disused pool table.

This unit, which has been open since 1831, is on course to close, with patients being transferred elsewhere. The commission praised the unit for hiring a senior social worker and occupational therapist.

The commission’s inspection reports on seven approved centres and one 24-hour community staffed residence in Tullamore.

At St Loman’s 95-bed psychiatric unit, they found not all residents had individual care plans, which highlight patient needs and how these needs are to be met by the staff and patient. They also found a lack of occupational therapy services at the Mullingar hospital.

Again, the commission pointed to a lack of therapeutic services for all and said privacy was an issue on some wards, with patients not even having curtains around their beds. In two wards, they criticised the bathroom facilities while St Edna’s ward was described as “unsuitable for use by residents”.

The commission said the bedrooms were “cell-like and stuffy”, there were open drains in the toilets and the showers were in poor condition. These three wards have been ordered to close by the commission for some time and should be vacated by March next year.

At the Midland Regional’s Department of Psychiatry, they criticised a lack of individual care plans for all but said patient activity and rehabilitation services were excellent. They warned, however, that the hospital lacked policies or procedures for patients with both an intellectual disability and mental illness.

In Co Wicklow, psychiatric services at Newcastle Hospital were roundly praised.

The report states: “It was obvious that the level of care and treatment of residents in Newcastle Hospital was of a high standard. Each resident had an individual care plan and there were therapeutic services and programmes available delivered by the psychologist and nursing staff in Glencree.”