The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has welcomed the publication of the Acute Mental Healthcare in Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) in Ireland report, which was recently carried out by the Mental Health Commission.
The report shows that mental health assessment in EDs is associated with substantial delays – especially for out-of-hours assessment – alongside a lack of appropriate space and prolonged, unsuitable placement of children seeking acute support in hospital EDs.
Reacting to the report, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “This is an issue that our members working in EDs across the country regularly raise. The INMO has consistently raised this issue of inappropriate admission of patients with acute mental health issues at the ED taskforce.
“The INMO’s TrolleyWatch exposes the true level of overcrowding in our EDs each day, it is obvious that overcrowded and understaffed EDs are not appropriate places of care for patients with acute mental health issues.
“We know there have been many incidents of children under the age of 16 with acute mental health issues being admitted to EDs. It is not right or appropriate for children who are in mental health distress to be spending up to a week in EDs. This is a matter which must be addressed urgently.
“The report by the Mental Health Commission is one that should be welcomed, and its recommendations should be strongly considered by all HSE regional health authorities.”
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