Patients at a Cork mental health unit had their rooms locked by day
An inspection by the Mental Health Commission of St Catherine’s Ward located on the grounds of St Finbarr’s Hospital recorded 10 non-compliances.
The unit, which has 21 beds and 17 residents at the time of the inspection, was critical risk-rated for privacy as the bedroom area was locked from early morning until 9.30pm and the day area was locked from 9.30pm until morning.
The centre was also rated critical for therapeutic services, privacy, and staffing and was high risk rated for individual care plans, general health, premises, ordering, storing and prescribing medicines, and risk management.
After the inspection the Mental Health Commission initiated an escalation process, requiring the centre to take immediate steps to address the non-compliances which were rated as critical. The service responded providing evidence that it took appropriate remedial actions. Explicit assurances were provided about the practice of locking bedrooms.
The Commission is to continue to closely monitor compliance in these areas.
