Fury at psychiatric unit’s ‘draconian’ policy on tobacco
PSYCHIATRIC patients were offered bribes of chocolate to report on smokers at a mental health unit, it has been claimed.
Those attending the new €20million inpatient ward at University Hospital Galway have also been subject to body and locker searches for cigarettes.
Patients trying to have a sneaky puff claim they are being watched and filmed on CCTV while those caught in the act are punished and told to sweep up butts.
The rules are being rigidly enforced as part of a no smoking policy in the mental health facility, which opened last summer.
However, dozens of official complaints have been lodged with authorities by patients, their families and advocates.
One claimed: “It is more like a prison than a hospital where you go to recover.”
Patients and mental health campaigners have described the no smoking regime as “humiliating”, “overzealous” and “borderline bullying”.
A service user said: “The draconian implementation of a smoking cessation policy in the new unit is having many serious repercussions, the most serious
University Hospital Galway being the breakdown of trust between staff and residents.
“Residents are being searched for tobacco or lighters and are having their room and belongings checked. Residents are being watched and filmed when they are in the outside garden areas in case they try to sneak a smoke.”
Another patient advocate who is familiar with the new unit and its clients said: “It’s not great for your lungs but for the sake of your mental health, it brings a sense of normality to a place that is not normal. People relate to each other in a very normal way, they have a bit of craic and a bit of fun [when smoking].
“This entire social interaction, this element of really strong peer support and building bonds outside of friendships they already have, is disappearing and being turned into a terrible negative.
“The cessation policy being enforced is completely draconian. Someone was bribed with chocolate to give up the names of other patients who are smoking. That is horrific behaviour.”
The HSE has not responded to requests for comment.