asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement concerning a report (details supplied) about the treatment of a person (name supplied) at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Mental Hospital Case.
10.
As I indicated in reply to a question on 27th January, 1971, the patient (name supplied) was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital in December last on an Order made by the Minister for Justice. The question of his continued detention in the Central Mental Hospital is a matter for the Minister for Justice.
It is completely unfounded to suggest that the Central Mental Hospital has become "a dumping ground for unusual or difficult cases—especially involving ideologies...". All patients are sent to the hospital as a result of competent medical recommendations and their condition, while they are detained in the hospital, is subject to continual medical review.
The newspaper article referred to in the question included a number of other allegations some of which it would be difficult for me to deal with adequately without giving clinical information. However, I have received a report in the matter from the Governor of the Central Mental Hospital and wish to comment as follows on some of the allegations contained in the article:
(1) Patient is not, and has never been, "under heavy and almost continuous sedation".
(2) After a few days at the Central Mental Hospital the patient voluntarily ate meat or fish as offered to him and has continued to do so. Patient was under weight on admission and has gained weight steadily since.
(3) On admission patient's hair was of average length. When it became untidy he received a normal hair cut. He made no objection.
(4) For security reasons patients may be required to wear hospital garb, and every effort is made to fit the patients as well as possible. The patient may wear his own clothes during visiting hours.
(5) I am advised that none of the psychiatrists at the Hospital made the alleged remark that the patient "had slipped right back".
Is it the intention of the Minister, in the public interest, to transmit a copy of his reply to the editor of the Sunday Independent?
I might consider that.