Dementia care patients in ‘drab, bare’ premises

A number of mental health facilities have failed aspects of recent inspections because of inadequate premises, the use of untrained staff in restraining patients and the admission of children to adult wards.

The latest batch of inspection reports from the Mental Health Commission also found the facilities struggling with staff retention and access to sufficient therapies for their patients.

Inspectors were particularly concerned about the premises housing the Sycamore Unit at Connolly Hospital in Dublin which cares for patients with moderate and severe dementia.