Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 825: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of inquiries conducted by the Mental Health Commission, since 1 January 2005, under section 55 of the Mental Health Act, 2001 indicating the nature of the issues inquired into; the outcome of the inquiries; the steps taken to deal with matters which arose on foot of each inquiry; and if the inquiries were requested by her or were undertaken on the initiative of the commission. [30161/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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In April 2005, the Mental Health Commission decided to establish an inquiry with the following terms of reference: "To review current care and treatment practices in the Central Mental Hospital and to report to the Commission". This inquiry is ongoing.

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 826: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the issues referred, by the Inspector of Mental Health Services, to the Mental Health Commission in 2005; the nature of the issues which were considered to need immediate action; the services involved; the actions which were proposed to be taken to remedy the situation; and the extent to which remedial action was taken and has been successful. [30162/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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As reported in the 2005 Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission, including the Report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services, the Mental Health Commission was alerted to issues in a number of services that were considered in need of immediate action. The services concerned were provided with details of the Inspector's concerns and given recommendations on how these issues should be addressed. The services were also informed that unannounced follow up visits would take place during the following three months. The reports of the inspectorate on the service concerned were considered by the Mental Health Commission including the response of the service concerned and the Mental Health Commission then wrote to the individual service advising of what action should be taken.

The services were as follows:

[1) St. Mary's Hospital Castlebar: The issues of concern were:

(a) lack of adequate care planning for patients;

(b) lack of key worker system;

(c) absence of therapeutic activities for patients on the wards;

(d) absence of assessment of patients prior to re-location to a new unit;

(e) absence of psychiatric and medical review of patients on the ward.

Following correspondence with the service, the Mental Health Commission was informed that all patients had been assessed and reviewed with up-to-date care plans and a programme of activities had been established. The three wards had been closed and patients had moved to a refurbished unit on the grounds of the hospital. A patient in continuous seclusion had been transferred to specialist accommodation. This report is available in book 5 Annual Report Mental Health Commission 2005.

(2) St. Luke's Hospital, Clonmel: The issues of concern were:-

(a) The locking of bedroom doors at night in one ward;

(b) The practice of directly admitting patients to long-stay wards;

(c) The inappropriate mix of patient groups on one ward;

(d) The unacceptable physical environment.

Following the unannounced visit, senior management in St. Luke's Hospital reported that the practice of locking patients in their rooms at night had ceased. The condition of one patient in seclusion had improved. An audit of the practice of direct admissions to long-stay wards was ongoing and a five year development plan for the mental health services was being prepared. This report is available page 143-144, Book 4, Health Service Executive South — Mental Health Commission Annual Report 2005. The service continues to be monitored by the Mental Health Commission and a visit is planned for next month.

(3) St. Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. The concerns which centred on one unit, St. Joseph's, included:-

(a) Lack of consultant psychiatrist reviews of residents;

(b) Lack of documented evidence of regular reviews in nursing care plans;

(c) Discharged patients accommodated in a locked unit;

(d) Residents' money being pooled and used for communal purposes without their consent. Residents did not have access to their own money;

(e) Poor physical upkeep and maintenance of the unit.

Since then, consultant psychiatrist reviews of residents were undertaken and care plans are being developed. The practice of pooling residents' allowances on the unit had ceased. The unit remained locked. Following further contact, the Mental Health Commission was informed of plans to close the unit and provide the residents with more appropriate accommodation. This is ongoing and is being monitored by the Mental Health Commission. This report is available in Book 3, Health Service Executive Dublin Mid-Leinster, Mental Health Commission Annual Report 2005.

(4) St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney. The issues of concern included:-

(a) Locking of bedroom doors at night;

(b) Absence of adequate care planning and key worker system;

(c) Absence of psychiatric and medical review of patients;

(d) The employment status of a patient participating in work opportunities.

In the most recent report from the service, it was stated that work was advancing on care planning and the key worker system. Alternative facilities are being sourced to provide more appropriate accommodation. Two patients who are locked in their bedrooms at night are reviewed regularly. A further review by the Mental Health Commission is planned before year end. This report is available in Book 4, Health Service Executive South, Annual Report Mental Health Commission 2005.

The work carried out by the Inspector of Mental Health Services is vital to improving the standard and quality of services provided to people with mental illness. Following concerns raised by the Inspector the services mentioned above have acted to improve conditions. However, it is important that all services respond quickly to problems identified by the Inspector and that areas of concern are examined at a national level by the Health Service Executive with a view to improving all mental health services.