andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health the number of clear recommendations made by the Committee on Mental Illness, 1966; and the number (a) accepted, (b) in respect of which the process of implementation has been initiated and (c) in respect of which implementation has been completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Committee on Mental Illness.
1.
Dr. Browne
I am not sure what the Deputies mean by "clear" recommendations. The Commission of Inquiry on Mental Illness summarised its findings in 146 numbered paragraphs, covering almost every aspect of the services for the mentally ill. These recommendations, or findings, were not addressed only to the Minister for Health or the health authorities but included many other interests, such as the universities, the courts, the ecclesiastical authorities, An Bord Altranais, etc. Many of the recommendations relate to improvements which have to be carried out over a period, such as the raising of the environmental standards in mental hospitals, the development of community services, etc., and it would not be possible to say in respect of every recommendation whether it has been implemented or not.
In August last I asked each health authority to indicate, in respect of every recommendation appropriate to it, whether it has been put into effect and, if not, what prevents its implementation, or what action is intended. Full replies have not yet been received from all authorities. I may say, however, that many of the commission's recommendations are in line with policy which has been in operation for some years past.
To give some examples, the commission recommened the establishment of short-term psychiatric units and this is being proceeded with, two new units having been recently built. It recommended the promotion of planned and purposeful activities for patients within mental hospitals and this is being done on a continuously increasing scale. It placed special stress on the need to develop community services and these are being widely extended, and a reorganisation is well advanced in Dublin which should result in a very full development of the idea of a community mental health service. It referred to the desirability of making special provision for children and adolescents and such provision is being pressed ahead as rapidly as possible and a new unit for psychotic children has now been built and is expected to commence operation in the very near future. It drew attention to the inadequacy of the existing facilities for post-graduate medical education in psychiatry and a scheme which will help to remedy this has been inaugurated in Dublin. These are but some of the more important measures which have been taken.