The Mental Health Commission has found that the inpatient mental health facility at University Hospital Waterford has been critically non-compliant with regulations relating to the maintenance of records and the use of seclusion.
However, in one case, the seclusion was not reviewed by members of the multi-disciplinary team and documented in the clinical file within two working days as required by the Commission. It recalls that there had been nine child admissions during the previous inspection in October 2017 and that each child was accommodated in a single room with a dedicated staff member. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service consultant psychiatrist had clinical responsibility for each child.
In two cases, the registered medical practitioner did not complete a physical examination of each resident within three hours, as required, after the start of an episode of physical restraint," the report states. "On the other hand, it is heartening to see that in two approved centres all the health care professionals had up-to-date, mandatory training completed. This is the high standard we require from approved centres," the statement added.
The Owenacurra centre in Midleton, Co Cork was 90% compliant, with three compliance areas rated as "excellent". The report underlined that this score was achieved despite the unit being registered as an approved centre for only three years.