Vol. 513 No. 6
269 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will comment on a recent statement made by a person (details supplied) regarding certifying seriously ill patients for admission to St. Ita's Psychiatric Hospital in view of the fact that they would not voluntarily admit themselves due to reports of the out-dated facilities there. [3092/00]
The Mental Treatment Act, 1945, as amended by subsequent Acts, provides the statutory framework for the detention of people with mental disorder. The criteria and admission procedures for voluntary and involuntary patients to a psychiatric hospital or unit are set down in the 1945 Act. The decision to admit a patient for care and treatment to a psychiatric hospital or unit rests with the consultant psychiatrist concerned and is based on clinical judgment. Those who require such care and treatment are first encouraged to enter a hospital or unit on a voluntary basis and it is noteworthy that a majority do so. The overriding concern of clinicians is to ensure that the appropriate care and treatment of the person concerned is provided and an order for involuntary detention may be required in order to achieve this.
It has been acknowledged that much of the residential accommodation in the main hospital block at St. Ita's is no longer suitable to provide a modern therapeutic service for persons with mental illness. In view of this, additional funding has been provided for the following upgrade of facilities:
(a) two new kitchen dining areas in the services based at Reilly's Hill – capital cost £130,000;
(b) replacement of heating system and upgrading which is nearing completion – capital cost £118,000;
(c) major upgrading and extension of the acute and assessment units, which is also nearing completion – £750,000.
In addition, approval has recently been given to the provision of a 60 bed acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital at a cost of £5 million. When completed, this will enable facilities at St. Ita's to be transferred to Beaumont which will, in turn, allow the existing upgraded accommodation to be used for alternative care and accommodation.
