Clarke slams Government over critical failures in mental health units

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has said that mental health cannot remain the "forgotten corner of the health service".

The constitueny TD was commenting following the publication this week of the Mental Health Commission report which she described as "a damning indictment of a system in disrepair".

“The reports of these six approved inpatient mental health centres across Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Louth and Mayo, exposed serious regulatory breaches and systemic neglect of those in their care.

“These reports uncovered serious ill treatment, particularly around seclusion and restraint and failures in how restrictive practiced were applied, not to mention the reports of unhygienic environments, non-compliant fire safety systems, chronically understaffed units and the lack of personalised and evidence based treatment.

“It is absolutely shocking that some of our most vulnerable in society, who require compassionate care, must endure such conditions.

“The Commission went as far to describe uses of restraint and seclusion in these centres as “inhumane” and “degrading”.

“Furthermore, in many cases, it appears that issues raised in previous inspections have gone unaddressed.

“If this was happening in any other area of health system, there would be national outcry. We would never tolerate this level of negligence in a cancer service or maternity ward – so why are we tolerating it in mental health care?

"There must be true parity between mental and physical health. Anything less is simply unacceptable.

“I am calling on Government and the department to take accountability for these systematic failures, and to take meaningful action to address these issues as a matter of urgency. This cannot continue any longer. Enough is enough," Teachta Clarke said.