asked the Minister for Health whether he is satisfied that patients in the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin are receiving adequate remedial psychiatric care.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Mental Hospital Psychiatric Care.
29.
There are three trained and experienced whole-time psychiatrists in the Central Mental Hospital. The range of treatments provided include drug therapy, ECT, occupational and recreational therapies and rehabilitation. Consultants and other specialised personnel, such as psychologists, are employed as required. The standard of psychiatric care is satisfactory, but I am sure it can be improved. That is why I am arranging for the transfer of the hospital to the Eastern Health Board, as this will facilitate its staffing to a level which has not been possible in the past.
In view of the fact that the Minister has conceded in an earlier answer that a limited range of psychiatric care is available in Dundrum, what is he going to do with the young people there who require care and treatment in the meantime until it is taken over by the Regional Board? Why not provide that care for them? Surely it is a matter of urgency for them?
If it were possible to do anything about it I would do it. Nevertheless, a high level of security is required for the young people as for the old. Although we can examine that position, I think it is preferable to wait until the Eastern Health Board take over the hospital and until the whole advice and experience of the psychiatric staff can be added to that of the present psychiatric staff in the Central Mental Hospital in order to see what can be done to improve the facilities there and the treatment.