Medication management at eating disorder facility ‘not safe’

A new inspection of mental health facilities around Ireland has found two facilities with "high" risk ratings attached to certain areas of their service.

One of the facilities was Lois Bridge, located in north Co Dublin is the only dedicated residential facility which treats anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.

The Mental Health Commission found that the medication management was not safe and was rated high risk in their report.

There was not always a psychiatric nurse on duty, and the centre did not have input from a medical specialist or from a medical facility.

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The commission inspector was concerned about the safety of two residents who had been admitted to the approved centre.

The layout of the approved centre, and the skills and expertise of staff, were not adequate for the care and treatment of a resident with severe mental illness.

Medication storage areas were also found to be incorporated into the cleaning and housekeeping schedules.

The report also found that a daily log of medication fridge temperatures was not maintained.

One medication past its expiry date was found in the medication cupboard. Medication was stored in a locked cupboard in a disorganised manner.

A party paper cup was used to store loose medication.

The Mental Health Commission also found safety procedures at the Jonathan Swift Clinic at St James Hospital to not be up to standard.

The approved centre did not have a comprehensive risk management policy, the report found.

The policy in place had not been implemented throughout the unit.

The inspector carrying out the report found that the facilities for the refrigeration and storage of food were not suitable.