Latest news with #JimLucey
The Journal
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Journal
Mental Health Commission finds 'concerning' attitude towards rules in HSE inpatient centres
THE MENTAL HEALTH Commission (MHC) has said that it has identified 'concerning attitudes towards compliance' in a number of HSE-run mental health centres which are persistently out of step with the rules of safe care. It comes against the backdrop of the standards of compliances improving overall in centres across the country that offer mental health services. The MHC has also said in its annual report for 2024 that there has been a 'sustained decline' in the use of restrictive practices in centres. Just six centres nationwide achieved 100% compliance with the regulations. 31 Enforcement actions had to be taken over incidents, events and serious concerns that arose in 20 centres which failed to meet regulations in response to the inspector's report. The findings found the worst failings in a small number of HSE operated facilities. Inspector of Mental Health Services Jim Lucey said that these enforcement actions show that the MHC has strengthened its commitment to 'regulatory vigilance' but that they also highlight issues that need to be addressed by HSE leadership. 'Closer attention by the HSE to underperforming approved centres would transform the national picture,' he said. Individual care planning, staffing levels, and the state of mental health facility buildings were identified as areas where the most centres were failing to meet the regulations. Advertisement A HSE spokesperson said that it welcomes the MHC report, and acknowledged that a number of HSE centres have 'recurring or increasing levels of non-compliance' that are 'disproportionately' impacting the health service's 'overall rating'. They added that the HSE will continue to invest in mental health services. There were also positive findings noted in the MHC report, including a reduction in the admission of children to adult mental health centres. Just five of these admissions occurred in 2024, which is the lowest annual number recorded to date. Lucey praised the decline in the use of coercive and restrictive practices and said that the finding indicates 'one of the most notable human rights advances in mental health care in Ireland in recent times'. Restrictive and coercive practices refers to patients being physically restricted and secluded for challenging behaviour, which mental health professionals are now trying to avoid in favour of other methods. The report notes similar levels of compliance with the rules across approved centres to 2023, but it notes that 'there was a marked difference in levels of compliance achieved across the HSE's Community Healthcare Organisations. 'Overall average compliance across all adult centres within a HSE CHO was just under 81% in 2024,' it states. CHO 6 (Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin South East) had the worst average rate of compliance at 64.65%. Eight of the non-compliances found in the Acute Mental Health Unit in Cork University Hospital were deemed to be of a critical risk level, compared with six of the non -compliances in the centre in Tallaght Hospital, and four in the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
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.
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Critical' breaches of regulations at number of HSE-run mental health centres
Patients at a number of HSE -run mental health centres are receiving substandard care due to 'persistent, critical' noncompliance with regulations, requiring 'urgent redress', the sector's watchdog has found. On Friday, the Mental Health Commission published its 2024 annual report, which pointed to a number of positive improvements in recent years. According to the report, six centres – four of which were HSE-run- were 100 per cent compliant with regulations, and there was a reduction in the use of restrictive practices. However, Prof Jim Lucey, inspector of mental health services, said the number of breaches of minimum standards and critical non-compliances has increased, and 'the bulk of these is concentrated in a small number of HSE-led services'. READ MORE The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) had 17 breaches with regulations, while Elm Mount in Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital, St Stephen's Hospital in Cork and the Department of Psychiatry in Letterkenny were also highlighted for non-compliances. In terms of 'critical' non-compliances, Cork University Hospital had the highest with eight, followed by Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin, which had six, and Portlaoise Hospital, which had four non-compliances rated critical. The Department of Psychiatry in Letterkenny and the independent sector provider St John of God Hospital in Stillorgan, Co Dublin each had three non-compliances rated as critical. 'Persistent findings of critical noncompliance indicate a high likelihood of risk. Their increasing volume in a small number of approved centres is a substantial concern,' the report states. According to Prof Lucey, regulations around therapeutic services, general health, risk management procedures and privacy are 'matters of human rights and dignity'. 'The fact that these humanistic care standards are breached so persistently in some HSE-approved centres and at this level is a matter of great concern to the inspector,' he said, stating these breaches are 'matters in need of urgent redress'. 'Substandard levels of staffing, and persistent neglect of approved centre premises, are not matters to be minimised. I find it increasingly necessary to ask this question: why do some HSE centres persistently operate with poor levels of compliance?' The commission has written to the HSE seeking intervention in centres that are found to be persistently noncompliant. Overall, the report highlights significant progress in the standard of care provided in mental health centres in Ireland. According to the report, there was a 18.6 per cent decrease in the number of reported episodes of physical restraint compared with 2023. There were also seven instances of centres being over capacity, a significant reduction on the 46 instances in 2023. The commission took 31 enforcement actions against 20 registered premises last year to 'safeguard service users and drive immediate improvements'. Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler welcomed the publication of the report, adding: 'it is also encouraging to see that in 2024, the number of children admitted to adult units fell to its lowest level on record and we saw a further decrease in episodes of seclusion and restraint'. In a statement, the HSE acknowledged in some areas compliance with premises, staffing, risk management and care planning 'remain areas of concern'. 'A small number of HSE-approved centres have recurring or increasing levels of noncompliance that disproportionately impacts the HSE's overall compliance rating,' the statement said.
