Vol. 461 No. 3
38 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health if he will issue guidelines to the health boards and psychiatric institutions regarding the discharge and follow-up of patients from these institutions, who have a known suicidal risk, in view of the recent High Court decision against North-Western Health Board. [2708/96]
Limerick East): It would be inappropriate for me to comment specifically on the recent court case to which the Deputy has referred and which is still being given full consideration by the North-Western Health Board in consultation with its legal advisers.
The discharge and follow-up of patients from psychiatric institutions is a matter for clinical decision. The procedures followed in relation to the discharge and follow-up of patients in each mental health service are reviewed each year by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals. The inspectorate in recent years has recommended that every service develop written Protocols and procedures which conform to the highest clinical standards.
I have already expressed my concern at the rise in the number of suicides in Ireland over the last 20 years. In late November 1995, I established a Task Force on Suicide which is due to present an interim report to me in June 1996. It will then engage in a consultative exercise with interested parties leading to the formulation of a national suicide reduction-prevention strategy.
