Inspectors find ‘high risk non compliance’ at Southside mental health facility

Resident bedrooms were not appropriately sized to meet resident needs at the Vergemount Mental Health Facility during the latest inspection by the Mental Health Commission.

Located on the grounds of Clonskeagh Hospital, the approved centre consists of Whitethorn House, which provides for continuing care of adults with enduring mental health needs and Le Brun House, which supports people under the care of the psychiatry of older age team.

Despite the centre recording an overall compliance rate of 79% (an improvement on the 63% rating recorded in 2020) the size of the bedrooms was described as a ‘high risk area of non-compliance’ by the commission.

While the centre was generally kept in a good state of repair externally and internally, resident bedrooms were not appropriately sized to meet resident needs.

According to the inspectors, the bedrooms were small, and provided limited space to move around in.

“At the time of inspection, some residents of the centre had mobility issues and required walking frames, wheelchairs and rollators,” the report states.

“The small size of the single rooms did not accommodate the comfortable use of this equipment.

“Premises was rated as a high-risk non-compliance.

“Similarly, some residents were allocated to shared rooms in order to accommodate space for their hoists, even if it may be their personal preference to have a single room instead.

“The sluice rooms in both Le Brun House and Whitethorn House were in need of refurbishment, at the time of the inspection they were not in good structural or decorative condition,

“The registered proprietor did not ensure that the condition of the physical structure and the overall approved centre environment was developed and maintained with due regard to the safety and well-being of residents.

“Ligature points were not minimised to the lowest practicable level, based on risk assessment.”

The Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Susan Finnerty (pictured above), said that it was disappointing that some centres were rated as high-risk with regard to premises.

“This is an issue we have consistently highlighted both during annual inspections and general reports,” she said.

“If centres are to care for older residents who may have reduced mobility, then the general environment must be suitable for them.”

The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly, echoed these concerns.

“Approved centres should, above all, provide a safe dignified place for residents that is conducive to their needs” he said.

“The MHC needs to see these issues being addressed at a local but more importantly at a strategic, national level.

“A comprehensive, costed and funded national plan is key to once and for all solving the issue of inpatient premises in Ireland.”

According to the MHC, the Vergemount Mental Health Facility has submitted action plans addressing how they will bring the approved centre into full compliance.

The MHC also said it continues to closely monitor the steps taken by service providers to implement these plans.