Watchdog gives high marks to five psychiatric centres for compliance

Director of Regulation at the Mental Health Commission (MHC), Gary Kiernan said: “Year-on-year increases in overall compliance demonstrate marked improvements in standards in services which consequentially help to ensure that the safety and rights of patients are continually upheld. File photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Three of five inpatient psychiatric units examined in the latest inspections by the State’s mental health watchdog received over 90% compliance rates with standards, including one facility scoring 100% for the third consecutive year.

St Patrick’s University Hospital in Lucan, west Dublin, received the maximum possible mark, with the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit in the University of Galway and the Adult Mental Health Unit at Mayo University Hospital scoring 94%, up on previous years.

Two other units saw significant decreases in their compliance, with An Coillín in Castlebar, Co Mayo having 82% compliance, a 15% decrease on 2022, and Aidan's Residential Healthcare Unit in Waterford city receiving 88% compliance, a fall of 12% from 2022.

Director of Regulation at the Mental Health Commission (MHC), Gary Kiernan said: “Year-on-year increases in overall compliance demonstrate marked improvements in standards in services which consequentially help to ensure that the safety and rights of patients are continually upheld. 

"Service providers and their teams are to be commended for their efforts in achieving these improvements.” 

He said the five MHC inspection reports did find some areas of concern: “High-risk non-compliances identified with the regulations on privacy, premises, and risk management are particularly concerning as they impact on the safety, dignity and human rights of patients.” 

The reports found two high-risk non-compliance issues in both Aidan’s and An Coillín and one issue in the acute unit in Galway.

On Aidan’s, the report said it provided safe care for residents in most areas, including cleanliness, adequate numbers of trained nurses, and risk assessments of residents.

It also said staff provided proper care and respected the privacy of residents in most areas and that residents were "complimentary" of the environment and care.

In relation to An Coillín, the report said the unit had an adequate number of trained staff and that clinical files were in good order.

But it said: “The centre contained a malodourous smell in two of the toilets. Several fire safety issues were identified including the fact that five fire doors did not close correctly."