David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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190. To ask the Minister for Health the number of visits from the Mental Health Commission to University Hospital Waterford in each year from 2010 to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10876/17]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission has outlined to the HSE a shortage in therapies and therapy positions in the psychiatric unit at University Hospital Waterford. [10878/17]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission highlighted a lack of physical space in the psychiatrist position at University Hospital Waterford; the nature of the issues highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10879/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 192 and 193 together.

The Mental Health Act 2001 provides that the Inspector of Mental Health Services visits, inspects and reports on every approved centre at least once every year.

Between 2010 and 2017, the Department of Psychiatry, Waterford was inspected on the following dates:

The Inspector of Mental Health Services has informed the Mental Health Commission that in both the annual inspection on 11 May 2016 and the focused Inspection on 13 July 2016 the Inspectorate highlighted the lack of therapeutic services and programmes resulting in non-compliance with Regulation 16. Both inspection reports have been published.

The Inspector also advised that there was not a shortage of therapy posts in Waterford, as there were 0.6 occupational therapist and 2.6 WTE activity nurses, but that there was a lack of therapeutic services and programmes and recreational activities provided rather than staffing difficulties.

The following outlines the actions taken in respect of therapeutic services and programmes since that time:

- Local Quality and Safety Committee has been established to provide oversight and governance of the therapeutic programme in the DOP;

- A Senior Occupational Therapist has been appointed in the DOP and will act as co-ordinator of the therapeutic programme in the DOP;

- A therapeutic programme is now in place in the DOP which reflects the recovery ethos and includes input from all of the multi-disciplinary team with copies of programmes available for all service users;

- Senior Occupational Therapist provides for ongoing review of the therapeutic programme and timetable to ensure programme is meeting service user needs;

- All service users now have a timetable of daily therapeutic activities to choose from across a range of multi-disciplinary activities incl. mindfulness, stress management, art, recovery workshops, preparation for discharge, health and fitness related activities etc; and

- The weekly multidisciplinary meetings are now inclusive of a forum for service users to provide feedback and thereby creating opportunities to continually improve and develop the therapeutic services available.

With regard to the physical space of the Psychiatry Department, the Inspector noted, in the 2016 reports, that no provision had been made for dedicated dining, visiting, recreational or communal social facilities for residents.

The Mental Health Commission considered that the HSE's original proposed programme of works would not have addressed these issues. The HSE has now made representations to the Commission detailing how they intend to address the points above, including a revised programme of works with associated timelines.

Discussions are ongoing between the Mental Health Commission and the HSE. As Minister I am continuing to closely monitor the situation in Waterford and the issues raised by the Mental Health Commission, in conjunction with my Department and the HSE, to ensure that all necessary corrective actions are taken.