Ms Rosemary Smyth:

The Mental Health Act only applies the regulations to inpatient services. Some 65 are currently on the register. The inspector is entitled to visit every other mental health service but the legislation does not provide for enforcement, so there are no powers, following our findings, to enforce, close down or attach a condition. We are using moral authority at present to bring about changes, mainly in community residences. Other services are not regulated as such. We visit them but no body currently regulates them.