31 enforcement actions issued to safeguard mental health patients
Thirty-one enforcement actions were issued last year to safeguard mental health patients and residents in 20 centres nationwide.
The Mental Health Commission's Annual Report for 2024 highlighted deficiencies in some Health Service Executive facilities that inspectors say must be addressed by the executive's leadership.
''Closer attention by the HSE to underperforming approved centres would transform the national picture," said Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly.
In 2024, overall compliance across HSE-funded adult centres was just under 81%, while independently run adult centres achieved 88.5% compliance.
There was an increase in the number of high and critical non-compliances in 2024 compared to previous years.
366 non-compliances were recorded in total with critical non-compliances concentrated in a few HSE-approved centres.
Six facilities achieved 100% compliance including Aidan's Residential Healthcare Unit; Ashlin Centre; Carraig Mor Centre; Grangemore Ward, St Otteran's Hospital; and St Patrick's University Hospital.
Those achieving 70% overall compliance or below with regulations include Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght University Hospital (70%); Units 2, 3, 4 and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen's Hospital, Cork (66.67%); Department of Psychiatry Letterkenny University Hospital (63.33%); Elm Mount Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital (62.07%); Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital (60%); and the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane (56.67%).
Examples of non-compliances may include lapses in individualised care planning, risk management, staffing, and premises.
The HSE welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) Annual Report.
It acknowledged that, in some areas, compliance with regulations for premises, staffing, risk management and care planning remain areas of concern.
As part of Sláintecare, the HSE said that a new regional structure will improve how services are run in each area and provide a consistent quality of care across the country.
The HSE budget for mental health for 2025 is €1.458bn, 5.4% of the overall HSE budget this year.
Restrictive practices are also declining in favour of a more rights-based approach for mental health patients and residents.
"The decline in the use of coercive and restrictive practices represents one of the most notable human rights advances in mental health care in Ireland in recent times," said Inspector Professor Jim Lucey.
"These advances demonstrate how regulation can drive important human rights improvements and result in key behavioural change in the way services are delivered."
The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body that aims to foster and promote high standards of care and good practice in the delivery of mental health services. It also ensures that the interests of those involuntarily admitted are protected under the Mental Health Act 2001.
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