Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
621. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which he received the 2012 Inspection Report from the Mental Health Commission; the steps he is taking to ensure that all issues raised in these reports are addressed; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56502/12]
View answerUnder Section 51 of the Mental Health Act 2001, the Inspector of Mental Health Services must visit and inspect every approved centre at least once in each year and may visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are provided. In some cases the Inspector may decide to re-visit an approved centre where issues of non-compliance are identified.
All inspection reports are made available to, and reviewed by, the Mental Health Commission. The Commission follows up on any specific issues identified directly with the approved centre. Follow-up actions include a requirement for Statutory Compliance Reports to be furnished to the Commission detailing the corrective actions that will be undertaken to address areas of non-compliance as ascertained by the Inspector. Meetings with senior management of the Commission and the approved centre may also be required. Upon receipt of all information, the Commission makes a decision in relation to the registration of an approved centre in accordance with Section 64 of the Mental Health Act 2001.
Reports of inspections are also submitted to the Department for information purposes only and in 2012 such reports were received by the Department in May, June, August, October, November and December.
