Dublin Mid Leinster Mental Health Services
National Forensic Psychiatric Service - DUNDRUM

Location:

The National Forensic Psychiatric Service is based at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum. The hospital occupies a 34-acre site located three miles south of Dublin city centre. An outpatient facility is provided at Ushers Island.

Service Facilities:

The hospital has seven units providing high, medium and low dependency care to 89 patients in a secure environment. The hospital opened in 1850 and since 2000 is managed by the East Coast Area Health Board. There are daily clinics in the prisons in the Dublin area while community psychiatric nurses provide liason support to the prisons and the community mental health services. The hospital has its own swimming pool and gym.

Services Provided:

A multidisciplinary team approach to care is being developed, with the hospital providing an active programme of assessment and rehabilitation geared towards each patient's needs. Patients are admitted to the hospital from the criminal justice system and from community psychiatric hospitals. Individual care plans are in use addressing the physical, psychological, interpersonal and social needs of the patient. Rehabilitation is encouraged through the use of the hospital school, the woodwork, industrial therapy and recreation departments.

Future Developments:

A commitment has been given by the East Coast Area Health Board to support a centre of excellence in forensic psychiatric care at the hospital. The hospital is committed to providing a more therapeutic professional approach to care, we require enthusiastic nurses who will assist us in this cultural change process. A major redevelopment plan is also in place to provide ensuite accommodation for all patients and the upgrading of staff and administrative facilities.

In-Service Training:

In conjunction with the Nursing Department of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland the hospital offers a course in Psychiatric Nursing in Forensic and Secure Environments. There are also two periods of in-service training during the year when all staff are offered training. We have our own instructors in the Prevention and Management of Violence, in CPR and in Lifting Techniques. A number of our staff are undertaking courses at Degree and Masters level in nursing. Every possible assistance is given to support staff interested in personal development and on-going education.

Rosters:

Because of the nature of the environment staffing levels are high. Staff work a two days on two days off roster. One of the days is 13 hours the other 9 hours. There are four holiday periods in the year, three for 12 days and the fourth summer period for 16 days.

Address: Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14.