Mental health inspectors criticise HSE over failings at psychiatric units

Mental health inspectors have criticised the HSE for a series of failings at adult inpatient psychiatric units including admission of children, inadequate physical assessments and occupational therapy and for not labelling residents’ personal property.

At the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton, Cork, which caters for 24 residents, inspectors from the Mental Health Commission (MHC) said they only had access to approximately five hours occupational therapy per week: “As a result of this limitation... the occupational therapy service was unable to meet all residents’ needs."