ANNUAL REVIEW master Final3a - St Vincent's University Hospital

St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group Limited - Annual Review 2007
Reports
Report from the Clinical Director of Psychiatry
Elm Mount Psychiatric Unit
Elm Mount Unit continued to provide a high standard of psychiatric care during 2007. It was the first full year
under the new Mental Health Act. There were 59 patients admitted involuntarily to the unit during the year
(7% of total admissions), 16 had their orders revoked within 21 days. There were 36 tribunals held on the
unit in relation to admissions and renewal orders, three of which were revoked. The Act had considerable
impact on the running of the unit. In addition to the tribunals, all detained patients had independent second
opinions from Consultant Psychiatrists and Legal Representation by Solicitors provided by the Mental Health
Commission.
An Advocate from the Irish Advocacy Network visits the ward on a weekly basis. His priority is to detained
patients, but he is available to all patients in Elm Mount and his input is valued by staff and patients alike.
In order to maintain the high standards among the staff, the unit was part of the refocusing acute psychiatry
initiative in the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region.
Refocusing is a practice development and change management model sponsored by the Nursing/Midwifery
Planning and Development Unit. The aim is to:
• Foster effective team work amongst staff
• Collaboration with service receivers (patients/carers)
• Whole team staff training to share ideas and good practice.
• Have clear targets for change
• Strong leadership to manage and maintain the changes made.
Refocusing began in October 2007 and the positive impact has been noted by staff and patients and we
look forward to completing this exciting project.
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