Providing Holistic, Quality Care
SPMHS continues to develop and expand the range and quality of our inpatient and day recovery programmes. Demand for our services remained high in 2018, reflecting the trust our service users have in us to provide them with holistic, quality care.
In relation to compliance, SPMHS maintained an exemplary track record during 2018. SPMHS achieved high compliance ratings, with our St Edmundsbury Hospital and Willow Grove campuses found to be fully compliant during inspections by the Mental Health Commission. SPMHS remains committed to the achievement of full compliance.
Introducing a New Strategy
In 2018, we launched our new strategy, Changing Minds. Changing Lives., which builds on and seeks to expand our work to date, responding to the continuing challenges and emerging issues impacting on mental healthcare. This strategic plan spans 2018 to 2022 and recognises the unique role we play in developing and delivering mental health services in Ireland. Strong foundations were laid for most of the strategy objectives in 2018 and these will be bolstered during 2019.
The strategy encompasses capital plans, including the transformation of the main SPMHS campus into the Jonathan Swift Campus for Mentally Healthy Living. This campus will be the first in the world to provide a full range of mentally healthy living initiatives for the general population, alongside the provision of comprehensive, recovery-based treatment services for those with mental health difficulties. Consultation on its design with key stakeholders, including service users, families, staff and visitors to the hospital, took place in 2018, and the results of this process will guide its development.
In addition to this, significant steps will be taken over the five-year duration of the strategy to improve facilities and services in our other locations and to extend the reach of our services across the country.
Plans for the expansion of Willow Grove with 13 new beds were agreed during 2018, with construction planned to begin in 2020. The North Dublin Dean Clinics were also centralised to the St Patrick’s University Hospital campus in 2018, with a significant increase in clinical activity observed. Development plans for our other Dean Clinics have now been agreed.
Promoting Excellence
All of this is underpinned by a strong focus on operational excellence across all aspects of the organisation and a renewed commitment to increasing the reach and benefits of our approach to mental health. This includes new initiatives in digital health and technology, future research commitments, and enhanced recruitment efforts. One such example is our Prompt Assessment of Needs service, established in late 2017 and implemented throughout 2018. This completed over 1,000 adult assessments and 185 adolescent assessments in 2018 through telephone or video call.
Our philanthropic efforts continued in 2018, with a focus on education, advocacy and the mental health of marginalised groups, including people experiencing homelessness and the travelling community. As always, we worked to support other charities and organisations operating in the space of mental health and rights promotion.
We continue to invest our financial resources, staff commitment and clinical expertise in ensuring that those experiencing mental health difficulties are given the best opportunity to live fulfilling lives. The significant achievements of 2018 would not have been possible without the dedication of our Board, staff and volunteers, and the continued trust placed in us by our service users and their families.
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Report of the Chairman of Board of Governors