Brian Cowen
Question:44 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to reappraise the level of cover and support in community mental health care following the recent tragic murders in Dublin. [8122/97]
Written Answers. - Community Mental Health Care.
Michael McDowell
Question:46 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the security arrangements at psychiatric residential units in the community; the changes, if any, which have been introduced following the recent murder of two women residents in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8130/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 46 together. First, I am sure that Deputies will join me in expressing our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
As Deputies will be aware, it has been the policy of successive Governments to restructure the psychiatric services through the development of services located in the community as an alternative to institution-based care. This policy has been widely accepted as providing a much improved quality of life for persons who were former in-patients of psychiatric hospitals.
The community based facilities include community residences which offer high, medium and low levels of support. A flexible approach to each patient is required and structures and staff support levels vary relative to each patient's needs.
Those who have recovered from their illness and who are capable of independent living with minimum support are accommodated in low-support residences. This type of facility has mimimum staffing levels and is supervised by members of a multi-disciplinary team working in community settings. The security facilities provided in low-support residences would be similar to those provided in the typical family home.
Patients accommodated in medium-support residences, who have recovered from their illness but who may have residual problems, have variable levels of staff support depending on each patient's needs while high-support residences have 24 hour cover at all times. All community residences are fully integrated with other components of the services, such as day facilities, sheltered workshops and other support facilities, all of which enable patients to enjoy normal community living.
The level of cover, support and security required in all cases is constantly reviewed by the management of each service. In addition all community facilities are inspected by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals during his inspections of local psychiatric services.
The recent tragic incident referred to by the Deputies is, of course, a matter of deep concern to me, as Minister for Health. The women concerned were former in-patients of the Eastern Health Board's mental health service and were, at the time of their death, living independent lives in a low support residence. The incident is the subject of Garda investigation and the Eastern Health Board and my Department, through the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, are keeping in close touch with the situation. Notwithstanding the tragic nature of the incident, it is extremely important to ensure that the policy of rehabilitating patients to independent living continues. I am satisfied that, with the regular review of the health and safety of clients, the management of the psychiatric services are taking the measures necessary to enable former residents of psychiatric hospitals to live in reasonable comfort and security, like their fellow citizens, in the community. However, should it emerge that any additional security measures are required following a review of this particular tragedy, these will, of course, be acted upon.