Vol. 549 No. 1
33 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce an independent investigation into physical abuse of psychiatric patients at St. Bridget's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth; the measures he has taken to ensure the safety and dignity of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5979/02]
An independent external investigation has been established by the North-Eastern Health Board into an allegation of physical abuse of a patient in St. Brigid's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth. The inspector of mental hospitals has been notified of the action taken by the health board as have the gardaí who will investigate whether a criminal offence has been committed. I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation established by the health board by making any further comment at this time. However, I would point out to the House that, in the normal course, the outcome of such investigations is reported to the health board in question and the inspector of mental hospitals is also informed.
When the report of the current investigation is available, I will be asking the inspector of mental hospitals to examine the matter in full and to make any recommendations he considers appropriate arising from the findings of the investigation. The North-Eastern Health Board has also stated its intention to act on the findings.
I welcome the fact that the Minister has established an independent investigation but is he concerned that when the North-Eastern Health Board was contacted by the Sunday Independent it initially denied this issue had arisen but subsequently admitted it? Is the Minister concerned by claims that a handicapped patient crawled on all fours, that a nurse shouted at him to get into his chair and, when this was not done, he was kicked several times in the lower back? Such treatment of patients in a mental institution causes grave concern. It is also alleged that a nurse was witnessed grabbing a patient by the neck and inflicting serious pain and that the patient suffered a broken leg. The Minister must be concerned that there is an affidavit which claims that the patients were being tied to chairs with socks and ropes; beaten if they sought assistance; left in soiled clothes for hours; given cold baths and fed in a circle like animals. A nurse stated that the wards were worse than those in Romanian orphanages and that some were referred to as Ceaucescu wards.
An independent external investigation has been established. The persons nominated to conduct the investigation include a retired programme manager from the North-Western Health Board; Dr. Ena Lavelle, the consultant rehabilitation psychiatrist in Saint Ita's in Portrane and Jack Buckley, chief nursing officer in Saint Brendan's Hospital, Dublin. They are all external to the North-Eastern Health Board. I share the Deputy's concern about the matter. I have reviewed the available documentation about the allegations made which, given their serious nature, clearly demand a thorough investigation. I will be keeping a watching brief over this and I will ensure that there is a follow-on once the external independent investigation is concluded.
I thank the Minister for his concern and accept his bona fides on this matter. When does he expect the investigation to be completed? While I do not accuse any other health board of such treatment of patients, does the Minister agree there is concern about the general approach to psychiatric patients in institutions, including the services they receive and the condition and age of many institutions? What plans does he have to improve this situation and ensure that people in mental institutions enjoy the same conditions as patients in general hospitals?
It is for the team to decide when the investigation will be concluded but I hope it will be within a reasonable time frame. The terms of reference indicate that if other allegations surface the team will also investigate them. The team will conduct interviews with complainants, the person complained of and any other relevant persons to establish the facts surrounding a complaint. It may also make recommendations on any related matter it may deem appropriate in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of both patients and staff and it will deal with any other issues that pertain to this investigation and that could affect others.
We have ongoing plans in terms of the refurbishment of mental hospitals and, more specifically, in terms of reducing the numbers of people who are inappropriately placed in mental institutions in the first instance. We have had to deal with this historic legacy. Progress has been made but much more needs to be done over the next two years. However, the funding is in place to continue the capital programmes that will relocate people from what are currently inappropriate placements to more satisfactory therapeutic placements.
Many of us have visited mental health institutions or old style hospitals, many of which leave much to be desired in terms of their physical fabric and so on. Much has already been done, although the chief inspector would say that progress has been slow. However, we are avoiding the mistakes of other countries in terms of the "de-institutionalisation" of mental health patients. I hope there will be significant improvement in the coming years.
