Councillors in Fermanagh and Omagh have criticised the treatment of some mental health patients in the area, with one describing long waits to be seen as 'inhumane'.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is ramping up action around ongoing issues of service provision in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust), particularly in respect of mental health support for both adults and young people.
At the most recent meeting, members discussed a reply from the Western Trust’s Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, following which they agreed to ask Minister for Health Robin Swann to investigate continuing shortfalls.
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Last month, the Council wrote to Mr Guckian setting out a number of concerns including the use of chair-beds in both Elm and Lime Wards at Omagh Acute Hospital, which is designed to accommodate 26 acute patients.
Members also highlighted staff shortages detrimentally impacting on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which provides specialist diagnostic assessment and targeted intervention for young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health and emotional difficulties.
Mr. Guckian confirmed chair-beds have been used at times in Elm and Lime Wards to provide additional capacity “due to increasing presenting patient numbers and acuity … over and above the 26 commissioned beds”.
He also said while staff recruitment continues to be an ongoing challenge, CAMHS is still functioning overall, albeit with reduced capacity of staff trustwide.
“Recruitment remains ongoing,” he added.
However, Independent Councillor Emmet McAleer branded this “not good enough”. He continued: “The system is failing our most vulnerable, and action needs to be taken as a matter of urgency.
“Ultimately, delays or inaction will cost lives. That’s the reality we’re dealing with.”
He proposed requesting Minister Swann to investigate the staffing shortfalls and to “promote rectifying this as matter of utmost urgency”, adding: “This should be of serious, serious concern to this council.”
Seconding, Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, Independent, felt the response was completely unacceptable, pointing to “an admission that provision of mental health support services is falling apart in our council area”,
He referenced concerns previously raised by the Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff, around the use of chair-beds “to deal with a surplus in Lime and Elm Wards”.
He continued: “While this [usage] had reduced, and other beds were provided, it’s clearly not enough if they need to use chair-beds. People in emergency situations in dire need of support are not being facilitated.”
Describing the CAMHS situation as “even more scandalous”, Councillor O’Cofaigh referred to Mr. Guckian’s admission of ongoing challenges around recruitment.
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“That’s a nice way to say there is a staffing crisis,” he continued. “It’s simply not good enough that young people cannot be accommodated.
“People are presenting to medical professionals seeking support and being told there is nowhere to go. That is completely inhumane, and that is the situation in our area, which this council is not accepting.”
However, Ulster Unionist Councillor Bert Wilson told members he has visited patients in Lime Ward for many years and “I have seen nothing, nor have they complained”.
He added: “They are quite happy with their treatment and so are their families. I think [what’s been said] may be not altogether correct.”
But the Chair, Councillor McElduff, replied: “Speaking with personal knowledge, the chair-bed situation must be addressed.
“There are other issues of concern, including leisure opportunities for patients. Those are things we should be exploring.”
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