This article is from page 12 of the 2006-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A STUDY into the mental health services in the county has highlighted a number of shortcomings, most notably the need to get patients and clients more involved in their own care plan.
The annual report by the Mental Health Commission also pointed to some improvements in the service, while highlighting previous recommendations that remain unchanged.
Across all the services in the Clare area the commission has recommended that each patient have an individualised care plan that contains a social, psychological, occupational, nursing and medical needs assessment, including a risk assessment, and a documented set of goals collaboratively developed by the patient and the multidisciplinary team. It also recommended reviews of the care plan.
“There must be documented evidence that the patient has been involved in developing his or her care plan, and the patient must have a copy of the care plan. The care plan must be co-ordinated by the patient’s key worker.”
Referring to the acute psychiatric unit in Ennis, it criticised the practice of patients sleeping in other facilities due to bed shortages in the service.
“When bed occupancy is high, some patients area transferred to other units, through new arrangements has just been implemented to cease this practice.”
There is no multidisciplinary care plans in place in the 40-bed unit it emerged. The report recommends that the unit be self staffed to ensure continuity of care, that patients should have access to make drinks an snacks and the bed capacity in the high observation area be reduced.
“Alterations should be made to the seclusion room to ensure adequate ventilation, communication and sanitation,” said the report.
The high observation area currently has no toilet and no communication facility. A shortage of staff was highlighted at Unit Five in St Joseph’s Hospital, which meant some patients cannot be accompanied into town.
“Five of the patients leave the unit unaccompanied to attend church or go to the shop.”
In both Units Five and Six, a shortage of space was recorded.
There is also “no access to a garden for people who spend so much time indoors.”