'Serious concerns' raised about standards at mental health unit in Cork University Hospital
Cork University Hospital's acute mental health unit scored a compliance rating of 61% compared to 79% in 2020. File Picture: Larry Cummins
Serious concerns have been raised about standards at the acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital, including safety incidents not being reported to the Mental Health Commission (MHC).
A rating of just 61% compliance with standards was found, compared to 79% in 2020 by inspectors with the MHC.
Red flags were raised around patient safety, the quality of the building, and staff numbers, among other issues.
They said while five serious incidents had occurred at the unit, only two were reported to the MHC.
They highlighted this as a “serious concern”, but did not describe the incidents.
In the building fire doors were not fit for purpose, the front door was kept locked even though this is not a locked unit.
Potential ligature anchor points had not been removed despite funding allocated previously for this.
A list of staff shortages was identified, including consultant psychiatrists, physiotherapy, and occupational therapists. Nutrition was an issue, with no dietician on site despite inspectors having been told in 2023 that this would be arranged.
Inspectors also found gaps in how physical restraint was applied — contrary to revised national rules. This included one time when the patient was not given a medical exam after restraint was needed.
Despite the pressures, patients described ward staff as kind and caring to inspectors.
The inspectors also raised worries about some standards at the Eist Linn Child & Adolescent Inpatient Unit, also in Cork. This was marked at 69% compliance, again this was down from 90% in 2020.
Here they found seven “high risk” issues linked to access to therapies, privacy for the young people, and risk management, as well as staff shortages and problems with the building.
“As a result of vacant posts within the approved centre, there was a significant impact on service provision, resulting in the needs of residents being unmet,” the MHC warned.
In all, the MHC published 10 inspection reports including centres in Bantry, Ennis, and University Hospital Limerick.
Four centres were between 80%-100% compliant, two between 70%-80% compliant, and four were between 60%-70% compliant.
The report stated the MHC asks each unit to address their specific issues, and this process is then monitored.
They can take enforcement action if inspectors think patients’ safety and health is at risk or if units do not address problems identified.
