The Public Accounts Committee is being asked to investigate the construction of a new acute psychiatric unit at a Dublin hospital which nursing staff describe as "unsafe" and unsuitable for patient care, writes Joe Humphreys
The multi-million euro unit at James Connolly Memorial Hospital is due to open shortly, replacing an existing unit at the site, and other beds currently provided at nearby St Brendan's Hospital.
However, Mr Des Kavanagh, general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA), said the unit had such severe deficiencies it would have to be redeveloped at a cost to the tax-payer "of hundreds of thousands of euro, if not millions".
Cramped facilities, patient access to electrical wiring, and the absence of en suite facilities are among the problems cited. The dining room can accommodate just six patients, and a rear garden area exposes them to the full gaze of their neighbours in the general wards.
Most problematic, according to the PNA, is an observation area where clients are placed next to an expanse of glass with open electrical sockets, light fittings and other unsuitable features within reach.
Further details of what Mr Kavanagh described as a planning "disaster" are to be unveiled at the second day of the PNA's annual conference in Co Cavan today.
In a statement last night, the Northern Area Health Board, which was responsible for the project, said it accepted "certain design adjustments" were required before the unit could open. The unit forms part of a new €96 million hospital building, incorporating intensive care, A&E and other services.
Mr Kavanagh noted the health board's design team did not include psychiatric nurses, and "excluded" the director of nursing who was now responsible for its operation.
It was no exaggeration to say the unit was "the worst ever provided to the psychiatric services, to declare that it is unsafe for staff, compromises patient care and raises the distinct possibility that patients will refuse to go there", said Mr Kavanagh.
Calling for a PAC investigation, he added: "Accountability must start with the managers. And I would like to invite the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, who regularly takes a swipe at this union, to reflect a more balanced approach and comment publicly on this disgrace, and the failure of management."
Opening the two-day conference yesterday, Mr Gerry Coone, outgoing chairman of the PNA, said the psychiatrically ill and those who try to cater for them were facing a "bleak future" because of health care cutbacks and reduced staffing in the sector.
Criticising current levels of funding, which left "real expenditure" on mental health at just 7 per cent of gross health expenditure, Mr Coone said services could not be maintained at previous levels.
He also criticised the outnumbering of nurses by administrative staff, citing the recent loss of 100 members. He added the benchmarking pay awards would enhance rather than rectify "institutionalised prejudice against nurses".
As for legislative changes, Mr Coone criticised the Government for failing to consult professional bodies on the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002. The Bill had wide ranging implications for the psychiatric services.
Mr Coone's successor as national chairman was elected yesterday.He is Mr Liam McNamara, a member of the Mid-Western Health Boardbased at St Joseph's Hospital, Limerick.
Also addressing the conference was Mr Brian Lenihan, Minister of State for Health, who said the Government had a "very substantial commitment" to the development of nursing services in Ireland.