Urgent investment is needed in mental health facilities to protect against further surges of Covid-19 or other pandemics, according to the Mental Health Commission. More robust legislation is also needed to ensure buildings are fit for purpose and meeting best practice for infection control and prevention, it says. Almost 2,700 cases occurred in mental health units during the pandemic. Staff training in infection control should continue to be prioritised, it adds. “One of our key recommendations in this paper is increased investment and targeted regulations to ensure all residential and inpatient mental health services are in modern, fit-for-purpose buildings, which comply with infection prevention and control standards.

Source: The Irish Times June 09, 2021 23:01 UTC