John Bruton
Question:27 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health his views on the progress being made in developing an integrated community psychiatric service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Psychiatric Services.
The report of the study group on the development of the psychiatric services, Planning for the Future which was published in December 1984 recommended a shift in delivery of services for the mentally ill from an institutinal to a community based service. The process of providing a comprehensive community based service has been ongoing for a number of years. The Green Paper on Mental Health, which was published in June 1992, outlines what still needs to be done to complete the transition to a comprehensive, community oriented, sector based service which is integrated with other health services.
The number of patients being cared for in public psychiatric hospitals continues to fall, from 11,613 patients in December 1984 to 7,050 at the end of March 1991. The fall in the numbers of patients in hospitals has been brought about by a reduction in admissions to psychiatric hospitals, and by the transfer of many patients from hospital to independent community living or to community residences.
The number of community residences and training hostels has increased from just over 121 in 1984 to 295 in 1990. The number of places in these residences and hostels has also increased from just over 900 to 2,143 in the same period. Day hospitals and day centres for the mentally ill have also been established to cater for patients living in the community and to prevent admissions to hospitals which might otherwise have taken place. In 1984 there were 32 day hospitals and centres providing 800 places compared to 98 providing approximately 2,430 places at the end of 1990.
I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the development of a fully integrated, community-based and comprehensive psychiatric service as recommended in the report,Planning for the Future.