The latest reports by the Inspectorate of Mental Health Services on the State’s 63 psychiatric hospitals and mental health facilities, which accommodate about 2,700 people have warned that wards in a number of psychiatric hospitals are “unfit for human habitation” and need to be closed down as a matter of urgency.
They have also found evidence of dysfunctional management in at least one hospital and untrained staff in other centres being used to administer highly specialised forms of treatment such as electroshock therapy.
The findings will form part of an annual report by the Mental Health Commission, the State’s mental health watchdog, due to be published next year.
Responding to the findings, Minister of State with responsibility for mental health John Moloney insisted money would be made available to redevelop facilities over coming years, funded from the sale of mental health assets – to help build or refurbish accommodation.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/1228/1224261302831.html
