Latest news with #HSE-approved
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
31 enforcement actions issued to safeguard mental health patients
Thirty-one enforcement actions were issued last year to safeguard mental health patients and residents in 20 centres nationwide. The Mental Health Commission's Annual Report for 2024 highlighted deficiencies in some Health Service Executive facilities that inspectors say must be addressed by the executive's leadership. ''Closer attention by the HSE to underperforming approved centres would transform the national picture," said Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly. In 2024, overall compliance across HSE-funded adult centres was just under 81%, while independently run adult centres achieved 88.5% compliance. There was an increase in the number of high and critical non-compliances in 2024 compared to previous years. 366 non-compliances were recorded in total with critical non-compliances concentrated in a few HSE-approved centres. Six facilities achieved 100% compliance including Aidan's Residential Healthcare Unit; Ashlin Centre; Carraig Mor Centre; Grangemore Ward, St Otteran's Hospital; and St Patrick's University Hospital. Those achieving 70% overall compliance or below with regulations include Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght University Hospital (70%); Units 2, 3, 4 and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen's Hospital, Cork (66.67%); Department of Psychiatry Letterkenny University Hospital (63.33%); Elm Mount Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital (62.07%); Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital (60%); and the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane (56.67%). Examples of non-compliances may include lapses in individualised care planning, risk management, staffing, and premises. The HSE welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) Annual Report. It acknowledged that, in some areas, compliance with regulations for premises, staffing, risk management and care planning remain areas of concern. As part of Sláintecare, the HSE said that a new regional structure will improve how services are run in each area and provide a consistent quality of care across the country. The HSE budget for mental health for 2025 is €1.458bn, 5.4% of the overall HSE budget this year. Restrictive practices are also declining in favour of a more rights-based approach for mental health patients and residents. "The decline in the use of coercive and restrictive practices represents one of the most notable human rights advances in mental health care in Ireland in recent times," said Inspector Professor Jim Lucey. "These advances demonstrate how regulation can drive important human rights improvements and result in key behavioural change in the way services are delivered." The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body that aims to foster and promote high standards of care and good practice in the delivery of mental health services. It also ensures that the interests of those involuntarily admitted are protected under the Mental Health Act 2001.
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
31 enforcement actions taken to safeguard mental health patients
31 enforcement actions were issued last year to safeguard mental health patients and residents in 20 centres nationwide. The Mental Health Commission's Annual Report for 2024 highlighted deficiencies in some HSE facilities that inspectors say must be addressed by the Executive's leadership. ''Closer attention by the HSE to underperforming approved centres would transform the national picture," said the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly. In 2024, overall compliance across HSE-funded adult centres was just under 81%, while independently run adult centres achieved 88.5% compliance. There was an increase in the number of high and critical non-compliances in 2024 compared to previous years. 366 non-compliances were recorded in total with critical non-compliances concentrated in a few HSE-approved centres. Six facilities achieved 100% compliance including Aidan's Residential Healthcare Unit; Ashlin Centre; Carraig Mor Centre; Grangemore Ward, St Otteran's Hospital; and St Patrick's University Hospital. Those achieving 70% overall compliance or below with regulations include Acute Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght Hospital (70%); Units 2, 3, 4 and Unit 8 (Floor 2), St Stephen's Hospital, Cork (66.67%); Dept of Psychiatry, Letterkenny University Hospital (63.33%); Elm Mount Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital (62.07%); Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital (60%); and the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane (56.67%). Examples of non-compliances may include lapses in individualised care planning, risk management, staffing, and premises. The HSE welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) Annual Report. It acknowledged that, in some areas, compliance with regulations for premises, staffing, risk management and care planning remain areas of concern. As part of Sláintecare, the HSE said that a new regional structure will improve how services are run in each area and provide a consistent quality of care across the country. The HSE budget for mental health for 2025 is €1.458bn, 5.4% of the overall HSE budget this year. Restrictive practices are also declining in favour of a more rights-based approach for mental health patients and residents. "The decline in the use of coercive and restrictive practices represents one of the most notable human rights advances in mental health care in Ireland in recent times," said Inspector Lucey. "These advances demonstrate how regulation can drive important human rights improvements and result in key behavioural change in the way services are delivered." The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body that aims to foster and promote high standards of care and good practice in the delivery of mental health services. It also ensures that the interests of those involuntarily admitted are protected under the Mental Health Act 2001.
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Cost a significant barrier to fertility treatment despite State-funded scheme, survey finds
One in three women does not feel well-informed about fertility treatment options in Ireland, despite a publicly-funded scheme running for almost two years. Just 10% said they feel they know a lot about the options, an Irish Examiner / Ipsos B+A national opinion poll has found. Despite improvements in care options here, some 29% agreed the options still seem better abroad than in Ireland. Cost remains a significant barrier, with only 9% of women saying they agree or somewhat agree fertility treatments are reasonably priced here. The survey of 1,000 women found: One in five women experiences fertility difficulties; Of those who experienced difficulties, 80% sought medical advice; 30% of those with fertility problems go on to have treatment; Women from more affluent backgrounds are more likely to have treatment. Just over one-third of the women said they would consider egg freezing. However, one-fifth did not like this approach, the survey found. This comes against a backdrop of the State's relatively new funding programme, which is only open to heterosexual couples for now. They can be referred to one of six regional fertility hubs, including in Nenagh. On average, 450 couples are now being referred each month across the six hubs, with most referred by GPs, the HSE said this week. The hubs offer a range of fertility care including assessment, medical, or surgical treatments. Ovulation induction — using fertility drugs to induce ovulation in women — is one example of what is available. 'During the course of 2024, approximately 1,000 couples underwent ovulation induction under the care of the six regional fertility hubs,' a HSE spokesman said. Couples can also be referred to private fertility clinics for funded treatment. There are 10 approved providers, including Sims IVF in Cork, Waterstones Cork, and Therapie Fertility in Limerick. Between September 2023 and June 6 this year, some 2,395 couples were referred to HSE-approved providers. However, the National Infertility Support and Information Group recently raised concerns about the pace of promised expansions. Chairperson Caitríona Fitzpatrick said: 'There was a number of commitments made in the budget last year around the expansion of the publicly-funded IVF scheme and they have not taken place yet.' Donor conception which would benefit same-sex couples and single people is still not included. She welcomed progress on setting up a new assisted human reproduction regulatory authority but expressed frustration at how little information was being shared on timelines and future plans. Fianna Fáil TD Sean McGrath raised these delays with health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in the Dáil earlier this month. The survey was carried out by Ipsos B+A for Feelgood, with a nationally representative sample of 1,078 women aged over 16. Read More Breaking the cycle: Eight fertility myths debunked
