Tom Moffatt
Question:16 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health if he will review the area of psychiatric acute admissions in view of a recent death of a young girl in Dublin from an eating disorder. [20613/96]
Other Questions. - Hospital Admission.
(Limerick East): Health boards are responsible for the delivery of health services in their functional areas, including the provision of care for persons presenting with eating disorders.
With regard to the recent patient death referred to by the Deputy, I am seriously concerned about the events surrounding this case. I am informed by the Eastern Health Board that it intends to conduct a formal review of the patient's treatment programme from the time of first referral to the time of her unfortunate death.
I have to date received preliminary reports from the Eastern Health Board and the Mater Hospital on the case. In the light of these reports and the need to clearly establish the facts surrounding this tragedy, I have asked the inspector of mental hospitals to investigate and report to me as soon as possible on this case and to review the area of acute psychiatric admissions of young persons suffering from eating disorders. I am sure the House will join me in extending our most sincere sympathy to the family.
I also extend my condolences to the family of the deceased. Will the Minister agree it is unacceptable in this day and age that a general medical or psychiatric bed could not be found for this young girl in the Eastern Health Board area? This reflects poorly on the health system, the Eastern Health Board, the Department of Health and, ultimately, the Minister.
(Limerick East): The circumstances surrounding this case clearly require an explanation, and the Eastern Health Board intends to conduct a formal review of the patient's treatment programme. We need a formal report from the health board to establish precisely what happened from the time of first referral to the time of the unfortunate death of this young girl. I have asked the inspector of mental hospitals, who investigates the care and treatment of all persons suffering from a psychiatric illness, to investigate the case and report to me as soon as possible. I have also asked him to review the area of acute psychiatric admissions of young people suffering from eating disorders. I do not wish to comment further other than to say that this case is extremely disturbing and I am not treating it lightly. We must establish the facts.
Is the Minister aware there are units in Dublin available to health boards at competitive rates? Health boards do not seem to be aware of the availability of these units which are up to international standards. The unit in St. Patrick's Hospital is up to international standard, yet GPs do not seem to be aware it is available. The Department of Finance should highlight the availability of these units. It may not be feasible or cost effective to set up specialised units in each health board area and these units could be availed of by health boards at competitive rates.
(Limerick East): If Deputies wish, I can outline the facts as they have been communicated to me. However, given the tragic circumstances surrounding this case, they may wish to wait until later to hear these.
The Mater Hospital, which was involved in this case in the first instance, is a voluntary hospital. Contacts were then made to secure a bed in the disorder unit at Elm Park Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, which is also a voluntary hospital. I do not wish to suggest that any person or institution was culpable; rather I wish to deal with the case in a calm manner and to await the reports, at which stage I will answer questions. I do not wish to revisit this tragedy on the family by reciting the facts which are already in the public domain and which I have heard recited on radio programmes.
I accept the Minister's point but will he ask health boards to request hospitals unable to provide the necessary services to avail of the units to which I referred?
(Limerick East): I understand what the Deputy is saying but the lack of a bed was not the primary issue in this case. For example, a bed was available in St. Patrick's Hospital. The entire process, from the date of first referral to the tragic death of this young girl, is being reviewed by the health board. I have also asked the inspector of mental hospitals, who investigates and reports on the treatment of people with a psychiatric illness, to carry out a review. When I receive the report I will give the Deputy all the facts.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.