Mental Health Commission records 100% compliance for third year in a row at Waterford care facility

For the third year running, the Mental Health Commission has recorded a 100% compliance rate in its inspections of the HSE/South East Community Healthcare’s Grangemore residential support facility in Waterford.

Located on the grounds of St. Otteran’s Hospital, Grangemore is an approved Mental Health Commission (MHC) centre providing Continuing Mental Health Care and Rehabilitation to 14 residents.

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) plays a key role in inspecting and measuring compliance to its regulations at inpatient and residential care centres. The MHC holds providers to account for achieving and maintaining a range of standards, identifying areas for improvement in mental health services and helping to ensure that the best possible service is provided to all service users.

Welcoming the recent publication of the MHC’s 2023 inspection report on Grangemore, the Head of Service/Mental Health for HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) Anne Donaghey said:

“It is heartening when a respected entity such as the Mental Health Commission has good things to say about mental health services provided in such facilities as Grangemore (which serves the Waterford and South Kilkenny area). Including through the challenging times of pandemic, there is an enormous contribution being made every day by my dedicated colleagues in our mental health services. In congratulating Consultant Psychiatrist in Rehabilitation and Recovery Dr. Darina Sloan, Clinical Nurse Managers (CNMs) 2 Grace King and William Browne, CNM 1 Helen Murphy and all of the team attached to Grangemore on this achievement, I know they’re also keen to include patients and their families for their support in this ongoing success story.”  

“Patient care remains a priority focus for the HSE, throughout all components of our service delivery. We strive at all times to adhere to the rules and regulations relating to provision of mental health services. We continue to work closely with the Mental Health Commission to ensure that all of our facilities comply with applicable guidelines.”

“In recent years, the MHC has been recording consistently high rates of compliance across the residential units and acute mental health inpatient facilities we have in the South East. I am delighted that the ‘three in a row’ of full marks for Grangmore is the latest such finding. The excellent contribution of various staff is evident in what the MHC has noted very positively in terms of staffing and the safety of everyone in Grangemore, the appropriate care and treatment of its residents, the respect demonstrated for residents’ dignity and autonomy, responsiveness to their needs and in the governance and accountability regarding the facility.”

“I am also pleased that the MHC noted the collaboration, completed in 2023, involving the Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT), the Waterford Walls project and local users of the mental health services (under guidance of our Rehabilitation and Recovery team members) in working with Dublin based illustrator and mural artist Juliette Viodé. Together, two colourful mural pieces (depicting scenery around the Metal Man martitme beacons in Tramore) on external walls at Grangemore were produced. This project is one of many activities that enhance the lives of those using Grangemore and impresses its visitors.”

“From liaising with colleagues Dr. Darran Flynn (Clinical Director), Judith Murphy (Asst. Director of Nursing/Compliance) and the team members serving Grangemore and in working with our Executive Clinical Director Dr. Jeyachandran Chandrakanth and the diligent cohorts of mental health staff across all community, residential support and inpatient settings in the South East, I look forward to continuing to meet the expectations set for us by the Mental Health Commission.”