Sir, - It was with great sadness that I read Dr Mark Harold's letter (November 17th), about mentally handicapped people in psychiatric hospitals. Indeed there are many issues surrounding misplaced individuals with a mental handicap in many services, and the issue of mentally handicapped people in psychiatric hospital is a bone of contention for relatives, clients themselves and service providers. Dr Harold's letter would lead one to believe that all of the ills relating to this subject are to be found in St Ita's Hospital. St Ita's is divided into two distinct services, a learning disability service and a mental health service.
All staff within St. Joseph's learning disability services in Portrane, be they nursing staff, multi disciplinary staff, administrative staff, non nursing staff are fully committed towards meeting the very complex needs of this exceptionally vulnerable group.
Dr Harold was horrified to find that the Broadcasting Complaints Commission upheld a complaint by the Eastern Health Board involving a programme in which he took part. The facts are that this independent body found that the programme concerned emphasised St Ita's, and created the impression that all criticisms made related to this hospital. Like Dr Harold I am horrified - but I am horrified that Dr Harold
Chief Nursing Officer, St. Joseph's Learning Disability Services, Portrane, Co Dublin.