HSE Scandal Des Long (RSF)

SCANDAL OF CHILDREN IN ADULT WARDS EXPOSED

The placing of young children in adult psychiatric units is one of the great unspoken scandals within the Health Service and finally it has been exposed in Limerick, a spokesman for Republican Sinn Fein said today.

Des Long from Corbally in Limerick a member of the RSF Ard Comhairle said that the latest report from the Mental Health Inspectors clearly states that the practice continues in the Mid West Regional Hosptial.

For a considerable time those with family experience of the psychiatric unit at the Mid Western Hospital have expressed their concern about the unit located there, he said.

Not only the level of care but the placing of young people in the adult environment gave rise for concern. Finally the latest report of the Inspectorate of Mental Health Services focuses on the issue in Limerick.

The inspectors found that a significant number of children had been admitted to the adult psychiatric unit at the Limerick Hospital despite long standing concerns that the practice was inappropriate and counter therapeutic for children.

For too long it has been a scandal that has been ignored and unspoken. But it cannot be allowed continue and go to go unchallenged like the clerical abuse issue.

Now is the time to ensure that adequate services are provided for these children and actions taken to ensure that they never again have to be placed in adult units.

Surely the measure of the maturity of a country is judged by the way it treats children. The 26 County Administration does not have a proud record in this regard but now steps can be taken to eliminate the scandal once and for all.

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