I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 25, 28, 30 and priority Question No. 54 together. A major part of the statutory duties of the inspector of mental hospitals is the formal annual inspection of each district mental hospital following which he is required to submit a report to me. The present inspector, who was appointed last autumn, has submitted a number of reports. I will arrange for a report in respect of 1988, his first full year in office, to be published as soon as possible after the end of the year.
Earlier this year the inspector formally inspected Our Lady's Psychiatric Hospital in Cork and submitted a report on his findings to me. I had detailed discussions on that report with senior officers of my Department, including the inspector.
The management of psychiatric services, including Our Lady's Psychiatric Hospital, Cork, is a statutory function of the Southern Health Board. A copy of the inspector's report was sent to the board. Subsequently copies were circulated to the members of the psychiatric services committee of the board. Copies of the relevent extracts were sent to the clinical directors.
I received a response from the chief executive officer of the board. Subsequently, on 2 June, I met the chairman and the chief executive officer of the board. In the course of this discussion the CEO outlined the actions he proposed to take to deal with the problems raised in the inspector's report. These included the closure of the main block of Our Lady's Hospital, known as the Grey Building, and the transfer of patients at present accommodated there to better and more suitable accommodation. In addition, he proposed to improve standards of hygiene and to promote patient activation throughout the hospital. I was satisfied that the action proposed by the chief executive officer would result in greatly improved patient care at Our Lady's Psychiatric Hospital and help towards the development of a better psychiatric service in the Cork area generally.
The chief executive officer put his proposals to the board at their meeting on 7 June. I am glad to record that they were supported by the board. I look forward now to the speedy implementation of these proposals. My Department will maintain regular contact with the chief executive officer during the implementation process. I have already assured him of my support in the task he has now undertaken.