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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 7

Written Answers - Mental Health Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health his views on the policy document entitled, Planning for the Future; the success of the policy to date; his views on the need to review this policy; the issues of concern which have been raised in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/97]

Limerick East): The report of the study group on the development of the mental health services — Planning for the Future — was published in 1984 and has been accepted as mental health policy by successive Governments.

The report recommended the restructuring of mental health services through the development of services located in the community as an alternative to institutional based care. Acute psychiatric units at general hospitals, day hospitals, day centres and community residential accommodation are now being provided by health boards to replace services previously provided in psychiatric hospitals.

Significant progress has been made across all health boards in implementing the recommendations of the report. Sixteen acute psychiatric units attached to, or associated with, general hospitals have been developed and more are planned. The number of in-patients in psychiatric hospitals has continued to decline with a corresponding increase in the provision of community facilities. In December 1984 there were 11,613 patients in psyschiatric hospitals and units compared to 5,327 on 31 December 1995, the most recent year for which published figures are available.In the same period the number of day hospitals-day centres increased from 32 to 159 while the number of places in community residential accommodation increased from 900 to 2,666.

There are mechanisms in place to ensure that the quality of the mental health services, both hospital and community-based, is maintained. The inspector of mental hospitals carries out an annual inspection of all mental health facilities including community-based residences and facilities in the country. While the inspector has identified areas of the services requiring improvement, he is generally satisfied with the standard of accommodation and care being provided.

There is widespread consensus that the implementation of the policy outlined in Planning for the Future provides a more comprehensive service for patients and a much improved quality of life for people who had previously been in-patients in psychiatric hospitals. I do not believe therefore that a review of policy on the provision of mental health services is necessary.
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