Inspectors find five non-compliances at Mullingar mental health facility

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) found five instances of non-compliance with regulations during an inspection of the Admissions Unit and St Edna's Unit at St Loman's Hospital.

The centre received a moderate-risk non-compliance for the regulations on privacy, premises, risk management, and the use of seclusion. During the facility's annual inspection, which took place between August 31 and September 2 last year, the MHC inspectors found that fire evacuation drills had not taken place since 2019, and ligature points, identified as a medium risk, were not minimised to the lowest practicable level based on risk assessment. Additionally, the windows of the visiting room, dining room and assessment rooms which were overlooked by public areas did not have privacy blinds.

The centre received an overall compliance rate of 86% which was up 3% from the compliance rating in 2020.

St Enda's Unit provides continuing care for male residents, most of whom have been in the centre for several years. At the time of the inspection, there was an occupancy of 15 residents. The Admission Unit had reduced bed capacity to 21 beds to facilitate COVID-19 social distancing and isolation measures and is an acute facility providing treatment for male and female residents. At the time of the inspection, there was an occupancy of 13 residents.

The full report can be read here.