More hospital places for prisoners
The East Coast Area Health Board is very surprised that the significant advances made recently in the development and modernisation of treatment interventions provided through the hospital have not been mentioned in either the article or your editorial.
These developments, facilitated by the establishment of additional multi-disciplinary teams, were highlighted in the report of the inspector of mental hospitals. Within the last year, a development plan for the hospital has been submitted to government.
The negative comments attributed to Mr Ed Boyne, Irish Penal Reform Trust, have the effect of undermining rather than supporting the advances being made in the quality of patient care.
As reported, a service level agreement has been drawn up between the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Justice and Law Reform and our board. This agreement will significantly increase the number of places available for mentally ill persons who are being held in inappropriate conditions within the prison system. Following approval of funding for phase 1 of the agreement, significant progress has been made towards its implementation.
Mr Boyne’s suggestion that “the new agreement won’t happen” is both unhelpful and inaccurate. The facts are that refurbishments are underway at the hospital and an extensive recruitment campaign is nearing completion which will give effect to this agreement. The refurbishment will significantly improve the quality of accommodation for the hospital’s patients.
The board is committed to continuous improvement in the quality of patient care and it works in a spirit of collaboration and partnership with those who share the same objectives.
The deficits in the building structure and the accommodation facilities at the Central Mental Hospital are long standing and well documented.
The East Coast Area Health Board is committed to upgrading the hospital and working together with our colleagues in the prison service, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice and Law Reform.
Martin Gallagher
CEO, East Coast Area Health Board
Bray
Co Wicklow
