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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

147 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports received in his Department under section 272 of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945, from the clinical director of service at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, concerning injuries or alleged abuse of patients for each of the years from 1994 to 1998; the nature of the reports received; the date each was received; the action taken by his Department arising from these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22907/99]

My Department received two such reports during the period in question. In July 1997, the assistant inspector of mental hospitals was informed by the management of the Midland Health Board that allegations concerning sexual activity between patients in St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, had been made by a member of staff and that they were being investigated by the board. In March 1998 a report of alleged sexual activity between two patients at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, was received from the clinical director of the hospital by the inspector of mental hospitals. Subsequently, following an inspection of the hospital, the inspector drew the attention of the Department to the poor conditions prevailing in the ward in question and the necessity to transfer four female patients who were at that time accommodated there.

Following discussions between the Department and the Midland Health Board, the female patients were transferred to other accommodation within St. Loman's Hospital. In addition, a major programme of upgrading of facilities at St. Loman's Hospital was agreed, including the upgrading of the ward in question. I have to date provided capital funding totalling £841,000 to the Midland Health Board towards the improvement of facilities at St. Loman's Hospital.

There were no reports of injuries sustained by patients at St. Loman's Hospital received from the Midland Health Board between 1994 and 1998.

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