asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the circumstances in which the body of a male psychiatric patient was found in the vicinity of Saint Ita's Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin on Sunday, 6 November; the patient status of this person; if he was an in-patient; if he will define liberty patient status; the supervision arrangements of same; if he has satisfied himself with the adequacy of arrangements in this and other similar hospitals to ensure such an incident does not recur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Death of Psychiatric Patient.
214.
As the Deputy is probably aware a post mortem examination was carried out in this case. The results are not yet to hand. I would prefer to have the findings of the post mortem before commenting on this case, other than expressing my sympathy with the relatives.
I can, however, say that I am well aware that the psychiatric services of the Eastern Health Board have moved forward significantly in the past few years and continue to develop in a highly professional and progressive manner. It seems to me that St. Ita's has been singled out at regular intervals for very negative attacks, usually by people who are unaware of the humane and caring efforts of the staff. In this hospital the archaic, destructive custodial model of care has been replaced by one in which patients are afforded the greatest possible degree of independence. If the arrangements the Deputy refers to mean the return to locked wards and high walls, then I can assure him we will not revert to this.