Psych patients sleep in activity room due to overcrowding

Overcrowding at an acute psychiatric unit is forcing staff to locate patients in an activities therapy room during the night.

The Inspectorate of Mental Health Services has found the HSE to be in breach of mental health regulations in relation to the overcrowding at the unit in the regional hospital, in Ennis, Co Clare.

The inspectorate’s report found that on 30 occasions between January and April of this year, patients’ beds were wheeled into the activities room at night.