Mental health care plans need "urgent improvement"

Independent report into Manannan Court published

Patient care plans at the Island's mental health in-patient facility need urgent improvement.

That's according to an independent report into Manannan Court by psychiatric mental health nurse consultant Dr Tommy Dickinson.

The Department of Health and Social Care commissioned the external review after concerns were raised about the quality of services provided at the court's Harbour Suite.

Dr Dickinson found the plans didn't appear to be evidence based or have been developed with the patient.

Other recommendations include giving patients more access to independent advocates, a greater emphasis on therapeutic engagement and ensuring patients are also given physical health care plans.

There are also concerns that some staff appear to have been on the same ward for many years, with the report suggesting internal rotation may be beneficial.

The report found some patients had obtained drugs while on the ward, leading to the recommendation for a zero-tolerance drugs policy to be established.

Dr Dickinson previously conducted a review into the former acute in-patient facilities at Grianagh Court in 2015, and found many aspects have improved over the last four years.

He found there's been reasonable progress in training staff to assess and manage suicide risk, as well as work to improve care for those with personality disorders.

The DHSC says it's confident it's moving in the right direction.