<p>
	The structure of one ward was described as &ldquo;not suitable for residents&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	A report into mental health services in Ireland has revealed a lack of appropriately trained nurses, children being kept in unsuitable conditions, and wards &ldquo;not suitable for residents&rdquo;.</p>
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	Most hospitals were found to be largely compliant with regulations set out in 2001 legislation.</p>
<p>
	However, a litany of errors were highlighted.</p>
<p>
	The latest set of inspection reports from the Mental Health Commission describe the structure of a ward in&nbsp; St Joseph&rsquo;s Hospital in Limerick as &ldquo;not suitable for residents&rdquo; and highlighted issues around privacy.</p>
<p>
	However, it was praised on individual care plans set out for patients.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;Therapeutic services&rdquo;<br />
	&ldquo;The range of therapeutic services and programmes was impressive,&rdquo; the report detailed.</p>
<p>
	Inspectors found that due to difficulties in accessing a child and adolescent mental health service in-patient unit at Eist Linn in Cork, children were instead being admitted to Department of Psychiatry in Waterford.</p>
<p>
	This resulted in children being kept in an adult in-patient unit, in contradiction of government legislation.</p>
<p>
	Staff shortages<br />
	Although several staff shortages were brought to the attention of authorities, such as at Cois Mara at Spanish Point were there was just one appropriately trained nurse despite &lsquo;all residents having an intellectual disability&rsquo;, an adequately staffed unit at Letterkenny General Hospital was criticised for their lack of engagement with patients.</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;Although all sector teams were now reported to be adequately staffed with health and social care professionals, from examination of the clinical files,&rdquo; the report reads, &ldquo;there was very little documentary evidence of involvement by these health and social care professionals in the care of residents.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/mental-health-services-ireland-report-1429163-Apr2014/">http://www.thejournal.ie/mental-health-services-ireland-report-1429163-Apr2014/</a></p>
