Watchdog finds two-tier system operating in Ireland's mental health services

Mental Health Reform CEO Fiona Coyle said: 'We find it unacceptable that we are operating within a two-tier system of mental health service provision.' Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

A two-tier system is operating in mental health services with public centres more likely to be full than private centres, the Mental Health Reform (MHR) coalition has warned.

This follows a critical report by the Mental Health Commission with updates on inspections of private and public in-patient centres. On 46 days last year, centres had more residents than they were registered to accommodate with 74% of these problems at two HSE centres in Limerick and Clare.