Bedroom walls in HSE psychiatric unit dirty and dignity of patients not respected at all times, inspectors reveal

"The environment of the High Dependency Unit (HDU) was run down and bare in appearance and was not conducive to residents' dignity. Bedroom walls were marked and dirty, bedrooms were minimally furnished, blinds were broken or missing in two bedrooms, and there was widespread growth of weeds in the outdoor area. The overall approved centre environment was not maintained with due regard to the safety and wellbeing of the residents."

"The approved centre was not kept in a good state of repair, and it was not clean everywhere. There was a smell of smoke in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), and there were multiple cigarette butts on the ground in both the HDU and the gardens of the main ward. This meant the outdoor spaces within the HDU garden and the Psychiatry of Old Age gardens were not adequately maintained."

Single bedrooms lacked locking mechanisms on the inside of doors with an override function. The High Dependency Unit (HDU) was run down and bare, with marked and dirty walls, minimal furnishings, broken or missing blinds in two bedrooms, and widespread weeds in outdoor areas. The approved centre environment was not maintained toward residents' safety and wellbeing. The call bell system in the Psychiatry of Old Age Unit was not functioning and several high‑risk ligature points remained outstanding. There was a smell of smoke and multiple cigarette butts in the HDU and ward gardens. The high observation unit's sparse furnishings and bare appearance were not respectful of residents' dignity. At St Vincent's adolescent unit, damaged flooring, unpainted fencing, and torn astro turf remain unresolved without a fixed repair date.

Read at Irish Independent