Mental Health Commission publishes reports on centres  

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has published inspection reports for three approved inpatient mental health centres in the West.

Inspections took place last year at he Adult Mental Health Unit at Mayo University Hospital; An Coillin in Castlebar; and the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit in Galway.

 The report into Mayo University Hospital, found 94% compliance, an increase of 5% on 2022. At An Coillin in Castlebar, 82% compliance was recorded a 15% decrease on 2022. There was 94% compliance at University Hospital Galway, an increase of 8% on 2022.

An inspection took place at Mayo University Hospital in July 2023.

There was an issue of non-compliance in relation to staffing at the Mayo University Hospital unit. 

The registered proprietor did not ensure that staff had access to education and training to enable them to provide care and treatment in accordance with best contemporary practice, as not all healthcare staff were trained in basic life Support, fire safety, and the management of violence and aggression.

There were also issues with the premises with the hospital failing to ensure that certain premises were clean and maintained in good structural and decorative condition.

An Coillin was inspected in September last year.

Non-compliance was identified in the areas of individual care plans; therapeutic services, the premises; CCTV; staffing; and risk management.

Not all areas of the approved centre were kept in a good state of repair, according to the report.

The registered proprietor did not ensure that CCTV was clearly labelled and its use evident and did not ensure that the existence and usage of CCTV was disclosed to residents and their representatives.

The approved centre was non-compliant with the risk management regulation because five sets of fire doors were not closing correctly, one set did not release from its magnetic lock during a fire drill and it was not possible to open one fire exit from inside the centre.