Department of Psychiatry at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise receives positive compliance report

THE DEPARTMENT of Psychiatry at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise has received a strong 89 per cent compliance with the rules, regulations, and codes of practice established by Mental Health Commission (MHC), according to a new report.

The Department of Psychiatry at Midlands Regional Hospital was one of the many centres inspected by the MHC, who has published 14 inspection reports for approved inpatient mental health centres across Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Tipperary, Waterford and Wicklow.

The inspection was unannounced and occurred over a four-day period, from the 4-7 November, 2025. In 2025, there was a decrease in the rate of non-compliance compared to the previous year. Four regulatory areas were found to be non-compliant: ‘Searches’, ‘Premises’, ‘Staffing’, and ‘Use of Physical Restraint’.

The risk rating assigned to ‘Searches’ was moderate. When consent was not received for the searching of a resident, their belongings and their environment, this was documented, the report states. However, the process relating to searches without consent was not implemented.

The MHC report notes that the search policy requires a consultant psychiatrist to be informed to decide if the search should continue. However, this did not occur when a search was undertaken.

The risk rating assigned to ‘Premises’ was high. While there was a programme of general maintenance in the approved centre, with the centre kept in a good state of repair, this did not include the maintenance of fire doors, as double fire doors had gaps larger than 4mm and one fire door did not close fully.

The risk assigned to ‘Staffing’ was moderate as the registered proprietor did not ensure the numbers of psychology staff were appropriate to the needs of residents, and the size of the approved centre.

The risk rating assigned to ‘Use of Physical Retraint’ was low. The dignity and safety of the person being restrained was respected, according to the report. The approved centre was non-compliant because a resident’s individual care plan was not updated to reflect the outcome of a post-restraint debrief and the individual’s preferences in relation to restrictive interventions going forward.

‘Premises’ and ‘Staffing’ were reoccurring non-compliances from 2024, but the critical risk rating for both had decreased, according to the MHC report.

Outstanding risks at the centre include vacant psychology posts within the sector, including the absence of a senior psychology post for the rehabilitation and recovery team, and fire doors maintenance issues.

The report notes that the inspection was “very well co-ordinated” by nurse management in the approved centre, and that many aspects of service provision “exceeded the minimum standards set out in mental health legislation”.

“There was evidence of effective multi-disciplinary teamwork and comprehensive individualised care plans developed with residents and their representatives”, the report states.

“Areas of good practice identified on this inspection included a variety of therapeutic and recreational services and programmes facilitated in a well-resourced activity area.

“The management and staff of the approved centre demonstrated a commitment to providing a quality service through the implementation of quality initiatives, regular audit schedule and the majority of staff had completed mandatory training in the required areas, with further training dates arranged for staff who required training”.

In general, the inspector found varying levels of compliance with the rules, regulations and codes of practice across the 14 inspection reports. Two centres were between 90-100 per cent compliant; six centres were between 80-90 per cent compliant; a further five centres were between 70-80 per cent compliant; while one centre was between 60-70 per cent compliant.

The MHC requires corrective and preventive actions plans (CAPAs) from all services where non-compliances are identified, each of which must address each non-compliance specifically.

The MHC monitors the implementation of these CAPAs on an ongoing basis and requests further information and action as necessary.

The report is available to read on the MHC’s website.