Dublin Mid Leinster Mental Health Services.
St Loman's Hospital

Location:

The headquarters of this service is at St. Loman's Hospital, a former sanatorium, at Palmerstown in West Dublin. Acute in-patient services are provided in the psychiatric unit at the new teaching hospital in Tallaght in South West Dublin. A range of community services are provided throughout the catchment area which has a population of over 250,000.

Bed Numbers:

There are 50 beds in the Psychiatric Unit, Tallaght Hospital. 22 beds in the Rehabilitation Unit, 25 extended care beds and 29 elderly mentally ill beds on the St. Loman's Campus. There are 50 beds provided in 3 High Support Hostels and a further 60 places in Medium and Low Support Hostels. All these residences are in the community.

Services Provided:

We endeavour to provide a comprehensive service to the community we serve. Out-patient clinics are held in local Health Centres and most new patients are referred by the family doctor. Community Mental Health Nurses work in these clinics and also provided domicilary services. There are 4 Day Hospitals providing day care for acute patients and also 4 Day Centres who cater for those with enduring mental health problems, strategically located throughout the catchment area. Acute in-patient care is provided in a purpose built psychiatric unit at a major teaching hospital in Tallaght. Rehabilitation services are available in a number of facilities including an in-patient unit at St. Loman's Hospital, a number of community based residences and supported workshops. Continuing residential care for those with enduring serious mental health problems are provided at St. Loman's as well as extended care for elderly mentally ill patients.

Future Developments:

It is hoped to open a six bedded assessment unit in the in-patient unit at Tallaght Hospital for elderly patients with mental health problems. A project team has been set up to oversee the redevelopment of St. Loman's Hospital. This will see the demolition of the existing hospital and the provision of purpose built units. Work is scheduled to begin later this year. A further High Support Hostel will open later this year.

In-Service Training:

There are regular sessions for in-service training for nursing staff throughout the year. This includes a weeks programme covering a wide range of professional issues for some staff. There is also ongoing training in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Manual Handling and the Management and Prevention of Violence.

Rosters:

Staff are rostered to work on alternate days from 8am to 8.40pm in the hospital area. Night duty in these services is from 8.30pm to 8am for one week with the following week off. Most staff are rostered to night duty approximately 3 months a year. Community based nursing staff generally work from 9am to 5pm.

Address: St. Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20.