Economics is hampering progress towards a modern system

A row over staffing and the postponed opening of a high-observation ward at a new €15m psychiatric unit led to an eight-month delay in transferring patients. Mental health nurse Des McSweeney was one of those who resisted the move, which finally took place last week. He wonders how much longer the high-obs area will remain in darkness

THE first time I experienced the death of a patient on a ward was as a first-year student nurse. I still remember who that person was. They had been institutionalised in an old mental health hospital for most of their life. I found it particularly upsetting that under this older system of care, they had very limited opportunities for recovery and very little freedom to actually live rather than simply exist.

Thankfully, the model of care has changed a lot since then with a distinct and ongoing move away from institutionalisation. But I do feel that at times this progress is hampered by the economic and political considerations that are brought to bear on our healthcare system. People’s needs are still not being met in our modern mental health system.