End-of-life care causes concern at mental health centre

Inspections have raised concerns over the standard of food at the Central Mental Hospital and, in some circumstances, undignified care for the dying at another mental health facility.

Six inspection reports by the Mental Health Commission showed a generally high standard of care and good practice, but also highlighted areas of non-compliance, including the 103-patient Central Mental Hospital (CMH), Dundrum.

One area of non-compliance was related to the provision of food. According to the report: “Service users were provided with meals during the day but complained that there was no food available in some of the wards between 6pm and 8am. Sandwiches were provided at 7pm on one ward whereas other wards only served a cup of tea.