Inspector highlights major flaws in mental health services

The Inspector of Mental Health Services has criticised "fundamental" and "systematic" failures in how such services are delivered in Ireland.

In her first detailed inspection reports, Dr Teresa Carey said Irish mental health services had developed without any real cohesion and, as a result, were suffering from fragmentation.

Dr Carey identified three main problems - a lack of accurate and complete information, under-developed management structures and a lack of "clinical governance systems".

She recommended that management structures be made more effective and said she believed the motivation, skills and commitment existed to bring about the necessary changes.