Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
1369. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of involuntary admissions in 2019; the percentage of the involuntary admissions following a referral by a family member; the percentage of the involuntary admissions following referral by a member of An Garda Síochána; and the percentage of the involuntary admissions following referral by a doctor. [20650/20]
View answerThe Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission includes figures for the number of involuntary admission orders issued each year. It should be noted that the figures published by the Commission relate to the number of admission orders issued rather than the number of people admitted on an involuntary basis.
The number of such orders issued in 2019 was 2,390, of which 34% were by a spouse, civil partner or relative, 28% were by members of An Garda Síochána, 14% were by Authorised Officers of the HSE, and 24% were by other persons. The Deputy should note that 'other persons' may include doctors in an emergency department.
