Eight children were admitted to an adult psychiatric unit in Waterford despite multiple warnings to the HSE that the facility is unsuitable for youngsters. Susan Finnerty, inspector of mental health services, said admitting any child to an adult service should only occur in “exceptional circumstances”. Dr Finnerty said children continue to be admitted to adult mental health centres “despite the absence of age-appropriate facilities and a programme of activities”. John Farrelly, MHC chief executive, said the continued admission of children and adolescents to adult mental health units is “totally unacceptable, yet it is still a common feature of mental healthcare practice in Ireland”. Fianna Fáil spokesman on mental health James Browne called on Jim Daly, the junior minister with responsibility for mental health, “to explain why children are still being admitted to adult psychiatric units”.

Source: Irish Examiner October 15, 2019 04:41 UTC