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 UNIT on the grounds of Our Lady’s, which was last year described as in urgent need of closure, has shown improvement in the most up to date Mental Health Commission report, although a number of shortcomings remain.
In 2004, the commission was particularly critical of St Anthony’s Unit in Ennis, “urgently” requiring that the unit be closed.
“All residents must have full multidisciplinary assessment of their future care and accommodation needs and be transferred to more appropriate community facilities,” it said.
The 2005 report shows that just one patient has had a “functional needs assessment carried out and it is planned that the other patients will have a needs assessment.
“There are no formal risk assessment tools in use within the unit,” the report states.
The document also reports that there are two people who have “moderate intellectual disabilities within the unit”.
In 2004, the commission criticised the unit for having “no input from the intellectual disability services”.
In the most up to date report, there is still no mention of such a service being provided.
The unit, which was used to take some of the long stay patients from Our Lady’s Hospital when it closed, did show “considerable” improvement in its environment.
Patient numbers have been reduced from 19 to 11 in the 12-month period and the empty bedrooms converted into an activity area, a visitor’s room and a games area.
“The number of toilets had increased to a more appropriate level and there were toilets outside,” the report said.
“The garden area was considerably improved.”
The unit’s records, however, do not support staff reports that a named system of nursing is used in the hospital.
“The nursing staff interviewed by the Inspectorate reported they are keen to implement evidence-based practice within the unit but needed some support and guidance on how to do this.
“It is also evident that the staff need training in the process of care planning.”
“Access to therapy monthly meetings are held within the unit and all disciplines attended. However, it was reported that none of the nursing staff from the unit attended these meetings.”
There does not appear to be any training in the management of violence or debriefing “after serious untoward incidents”.
The report recommends that a policy “on risk management, incorporating training for staff and for debriefing” following such incidents should be implemented.
Other recommendations included an individual care plan be provided for each patient developed by a multidisciplinary team with the assistance of the patient.