Vol. 478 No. 7
22 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a mother of an eight year old mentally handicapped incontinent child has been told to store up used nappies in order that the health board can check them; the reason the five-year plan for mental health has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/97]
Limerick East): I understand from the health boards that the needs of applicants for incontinence wear are assessed on an individual basis, taking account of each person's particular medical requirements. Supplies are than provided according to need and individual needs are reviewed on a regular basis. In relation to the case to which I understand the Deputy is referring, I have asked my Department to seek an immediate report from the chief executive officer of the relevant health board on this matter. I will communicate further with the Deputy on receipt of the report.
With reference to the Deputy's query regarding the five year plan for mental health, I am assuming the Deputy is referring to the Government's commitment to the development of services for persons with a mental handicap. My colleague, Deputy O'Shea recently published an Assessment of Need for Services to Persons with a Mental Handicap, 1997-2001 based on information from the national intellectual disability database. The assessment provides a comprehensive picture of the requirements for additional residential and day services for persons with a mental handicap over the period concerned. The Government is committed, under Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness, to the development of services to persons with a mental handicap, within overall resource parameters, based on this assessment of need.
With regard to plans in respect of the mental health services, it has been the policy of successive Governments to restructure the mental health services through the development of services located in the community as an alternative to institutional-based care. This policy is based on the recommendations of the report on the development of the mental health services — Planning for the Future — which was published in 1984.
Acute psychiatric units at general hospitals, day hospitals, day centres and community residential accommodation are now being provided to replace services previously provided in psychiatric hospitals.
The shift in the provision of services from the traditional institutional-based model of care to a community-based care setting has been extremely successful and is widely accepted as providing a more comprehensive service for patients and a much improved quality of life for persons who were former patients of psychiatric hospitals.
