asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of patients in the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin, in each of the last 20 years; (b) the number of medical, psychiatric and ancillary staff employed there and their qualifications; and (c) the drugs which the staff are permitted to employ for psychiatric and medical purposes.
Written Answers. - Central Mental Hospital, Dublin.
258.
(a)The daily average numbers of patients in the Central Mental Hospital for each of the last 20 years is as follows:
|
1963 |
92 |
|
1964 |
95 |
|
1965 |
99 |
|
1966 |
103 |
|
1967 |
104 |
|
1968 |
110 |
|
1969 |
117 |
|
1970 |
139 |
|
1971 |
123 |
|
1972 |
111 |
|
1973 |
107 |
|
1974 |
99 |
|
1975 |
103 |
|
1976 |
100 |
|
1977 |
103 |
|
1978 |
102 |
|
1979 |
102 |
|
1980 |
98 |
|
1981 |
87 |
|
1982 |
85 |
(b) Medical Staff
There are nine qualified medical staff employed, six of whom possess post-graduate qualifications. The qualifications of the medical staff are as follows:
3 with Diploma in Psychological Medicine; 1 with F.R.C. Psych, A.B.P.N.; 1 with H.R.C. Psych, F.R.C.P.I.; 1 with M.R.C. Psych; 3 with M.B.
Nursing Staff
There are 11 nursing staff who possess the following qualifications:
1 qualified in general, psychiatric and mental handicap nursing (R.G.N., R.P.N., R.N.M.H.); 1 who is qualified in general and psychiatric nursing (R.G.N., R.P.N.); 2 registered mental handicap nurses (R.N.M.H.); 4 registered psychiatric nurses (R.P.N.); 1 registered general nurse (R.G.N.); 2 State enrolled nurses (S.E.N.).
Attendant Staff
There are 106 attendants who have no qualifications but who undergo a special induction course on taking up duty. Efforts are being made at present in conjunction with an Bord Altranais to set up a course of training which would be suitable for these staff.
Ancillary Staff
Apart from two chaplains there are five ancillary staff who are qualified as follows:
1 Social Worker Diploma Soc. Sc.; 1 Clinical Psychologist B.A. (Mod.); 3 Vocational Teachers H. Dip. Primary Teachers.
Kitchen and Outdoor Staff:
There are 14 of these staff viz.:
1 Catering Officer Dip. Hotel Catering/Management; 4 Cooks (1 part-time) 2 with Diplomas in Dom. Sc.; 3 Porters; 5 Domestics; 1 Gardener.
Clerical Staff
There are five clerical staff.
(c)Drugs
I am advised that the range of drugs used in the treatment of patients accords with the normal range of drugs used in a psychiatric setting.