Review ordered of isolation units for teens

Health chiefs have been ordered to review the use of isolation units for troubled teenagers in light of a damning inspection of a care home.

Children’s minister James Reilly said the use of “single separation” should be consistent, safe, and accountable after youngsters at Ballydowd Special Care Unit in Dublin had to urinate on the floor or were denied a shower after being locked up and refused access to bathrooms.

“I know that young people in special care units have experienced great difficulties in their lives and that this can spill over into extremely challenging behaviour, including self-harm and assaults on staff, but this is not the standard of care that we expect,” said Mr Reilly.