Latest news with #JohnFarrelly
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.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New guidance launched in Ireland to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in mental health services
On June 6, a landmark new guidance was launched in Ireland to support staff working across mental health services in delivering more inclusive and equitable care to LGBTQ+ people. The document follows a review that highlighted how LGBTQ+ people face disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs. Launched this morning at the LGBT Ireland National Conference, the guidance was produced by the Mental Health Commission with the aim of providing accessible guidance to mental health professionals. The document offers 'a deeper understanding' of the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ people face when accessing mental health services in Ireland. The guidance is based on an evidence review which highlighted the disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs members of the LGBTQ+ community face, especially young people and trans individuals. The review found high rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-injury among LGBTQ+ people. Moreover, it highlighted a prevalence of anxiety, depression and eating disorders among gender and sexual minorities. These findings are supported by other research conducted in Ireland, including Belong To's Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland research and the My LGBTI+ Voice Matters study. These studies have highlighted how LGBTQ+ individuals experience a higher mental health burden in comparison to the general population. Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un post condiviso da Belong To (@belongtoyouthservices) LGBT Ireland welcomed the launch of the document, with CEO Paula Fagan saying it is a 'practical and much-needed' guidance. She added, 'This document is a vital step toward changing that trajectory by equipping staff with the tools and awareness they need to treat LGBTQIA+ service users with dignity, understanding and respect.' Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission John Farrelly commented, saying: 'Many LGBTQIA+ people face significant mental health challenges that may not always be adequately addressed. 'Our guidance document is a response to that reality,' Farrelly added. 'It recognises that even where staff only have a surface-level understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues, their openness to learn and evolve is key to delivering truly inclusive care. This guidance is a call to action for mental health services to continue to become more responsive, affirming, and equitable.' Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler also welcomed the guidance, saying: 'Everyone who uses a mental health service should feel confident that they can access services which are inclusive, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. 'I encourage all those who deliver and work in mental health services to implement the important and practical steps contained in the guidance.' The post New guidance launched in Ireland to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in mental health services appeared first on GCN.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
New LGBTQIA+ services guide launched by Mental Health Commission
CEO of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly discusses a new guide that has been launched to help mental health staff support LGBTQIA+ service users. Farrelly says the guide will offer clear advice to mental health professionals.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
New guidance to support LGBTQIA+ inclusion in mental health services
A guidance document and a training resource to support mental health services staff working with LGBTQIA+ service users will be launched this morning. The material will offer "clear and accessible guidance" to mental health professionals on how to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals accessing services, according to the Mental Health Commission (MHC). The aim is to promote "a deeper understanding" of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people and to improve service-user experiences across Ireland's mental health system. The guidance - which will launched at the LGBT Ireland National Conference this morning - is based on an evidence review, commissioned by the MHC. The review highlighted the disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs among the LGBTQIA+ community - especially among young people and transgender individuals. It found there were higher rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-injury among LGBTQIA+ people. Other issues that came to the fore included increased prevalence of anxiety, depression - including perinatal depression - and eating disorders, particularly among sexual minorities. Guidance 'practical, much-needed' Chief Executive of the MHC John Farrelly described the guidance document as a response to the reality, which is that many LGBTQIA+ people face significant mental health challenges that may not always be adequately addressed. Research including the Being LGBTQI+ In Ireland and My LGBTI+ Voice Matters studies, have demonstrated that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience a higher burden of mental health difficulties compared to the general population, according to the MHC. CEO of LGBT Ireland Paula Fagan welcomed the guidance which she described as "practical" and "much-needed". She said that the 'Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland' study showed that mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ individuals have worsened in recent years, with significant rises in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. "This document is a vital step toward changing that trajectory by equipping staff with the tools and awareness they need to treat LGBTQIA+ service users with dignity, understanding and respect," she said. Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler welcomed the guidance and training resource to support a more inclusive approach. She said: "Everyone who uses a mental health service should feel confident that they can access services which are inclusive, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. "I encourage all those who deliver and work in mental health services to implement the important and practical steps contained in the guidance."
