Written answers

Thursday, 13 January 2011

Department of Health and Children

Mental Health Services

2:00 pm

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the strong criticism of the conditions and the amount of inappropriate medication used in many psychiatric hospitals here; if this is due, in part, to understaffing or lack of resources; the progress made in moving patients from old psychiatric hospitals into more appropriate settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1552/11]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body established under the Mental Health Act 2001 to promote high standards in the delivery of mental health services and ensure that the interests of those involuntarily admitted to Approved Centres are protected. In accordance with the Act, the Inspector of Mental Health Services is required to visit and inspect every approved centre annually and, as the Inspectorate think appropriate, to visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are being provided.

I am aware that in a number of recent inspection reports, which are available on the Commission's website, the Inspector has highlighted the high incidence of the use of medication and has recommended that the practice be reviewed as a matter of urgency. While I share the Inspector's concerns regarding any over reliance on medication, I am satisfied that procedures are in place to address this matter. I also believe that those procedures demonstrate the robustness of the Mental Health Act 2001, the independence of the Mental Health Commission and the importance of its role in safeguarding the standards and quality of care in the mental health services. It is clear that the checks and balances established by the 2001 Act, to promote high standards and good practices in our mental health services, are working.

With regard to the closure of the old psychiatric hospitals, I can confirm that the transfer of patients to more appropriate community based settings remains a priority. In this regard significant progress is being made, for example;

acute admissions to St. Brendan's, Grangegorman have now ceased following the opening of the Pine Unit in Connolly Hospital, and enabling works are underway on the development of a 54-bedded replacement long stay facility as part of the Grangegorman Redevelopment Project.

construction works will commence in February 2011 on an acute in-patient psychiatric unit on the Beaumont Hospital Campus to replace the unit at St. Ita's, Portrane.

the process for the total closure of the long stay accommodation at St Senan's, Wexford will completed during 2011/2012, with the implementation of approximately €16m capital investment programme and a number of community based services developments.

a residential unit is under construction in Clonmel which will allow for the closure of St Luke's Hospital and community services are being developed which will provide alternatives to in-patient admissions.

A Community Nursing Unit has recently opened in Ballinasloe and the long stay patients have been transferred there from St Brigid's.

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