David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The mental health commission found that eight children were admitted to the Waterford adult mental health service in 2018. Incredibly, it found that the compliance record for the service was 57% compared to 68% for 2017. A report found that not all staff involved in the care of children had training in Children First, age appropriate facilities and a programme of activities were not available and child residents did not have access to age appropriate advocacy services. It went on to state that the admission of children policy did not address the procedures in regard to family liaison. Other issues included parental consent, confidentiality and the requirement for each child to be individually risk assessed. It found that residents’ general health needs were not monitored and assessed in line with their specific needs, that physical examinations were inadequate, that residents did not have access to a supply of appropriate emergency personal clothing and, to add insult to injury, the centre was not clean, hygienic and free from offensive odours. What in God’s name is happening? How can children and adults with mental health difficulties be treated in that fashion?

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