The mother of an autistic man says vulnerable adults in Ireland are getting care from the Victorian age.
The woman, who has not been identified, says her son is being held at Mayo University Hospital, in Castlebar, because of a lack of community provision.
Rightful Lives campaigner Mark Neary with son Steven. He has called for better support for autistic people in their own homes
She describes the hospital’s adult mental health unit as no more than a “holding centre”.
Low numbers of psychiatric nurses
A report by Ireland’s Mental Health Commission expressed concerns over low numbers of psychiatric nurses.
Numbers dropped by almost 25 per cent, from 39 to 29, between December 2021 and September 2022, said the report.
The mother said she was not aware of the problems before allowing her son to be admitted.
‘My son is autistic. He is not an offender’
In a statement to the Connaught Telegraph, she added: “My son is autistic. He is not an offender. Even prisoners receive a discharge date — my son has not. It is cruel.”
The mother said staff are “unable to assist patients beyond the most basic feeding, watering and medicating”.
Harry Barrett is a former local councillor for Castlebar.
He told the newspaper the impact of the unit on the woman’s son was “cruel and degrading and must be acted upon immediately”.
Barrett said he would “demand an investigation” by health minister Stephen Donnelly.
‘Not enough imagination or motivation’
Mark Neary, whose adult son Steven is autistic, is a member of the UK human rights group Rightful Lives. The group campaigns for an end to long-term hospital stays.
Neary said Mayo mental health unit was “yet another place that exists because commissioners haven’t the imagination or motivation to provide support for people in their own homes”.
He said Rightful Lives stands by those deprived of their liberty and their families.
Autism Eye contacted the Health Service Executive in Ireland, but did not receive a response.
Related:
- Ireland ‘denies right to education’
- Autism in Ireland reaches one in 65
- Family searches in vain for school place
Published: 6 July 2023
