Vol. 492 No. 1
134 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the acute psychiatric service available to young people aged between 16 and 18 years in the Southern Health Board area; his views on whether the service is adequately resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13531/98]
Under current mental treatment legislation, a child is regarded as any person up to the age of 16. Any person over 16 years of age is considered to be an adult for the purpose of the legislation and may be referred to the adult psychiatric services if necessary. Consequently, no specific acute psychiatric service is provided by the Southern Health Board to deal exclusively with 16 to 18 year olds. Those assessed as being in need of psychiatric care and treatment are generally referred and treated by a consultant psychiatrist attached to the adult services. However, some adolescents in the Southern Health Board area who have been assessed prior to age 16 may continue to be offered a service up to age 18.
A new mental health Bill is currently being prepared which I hope to introduce to both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible. Under the new legislation, a person will be considered a child up to the age of 18 in line with child care legislation.
The development of a comprehensive child and adolescent psychiatric service has been identified as a priority in my Department's health strategy and a consultant-led service is now available in each health board. An adviser in child and adolescent psychiatry has also been appointed. He is currently reviewing the nature and extent of existing services and will advise on the formulation of policy on the future development of the services on a national scale. A report prepared by the adviser is expected to be completed shortly for consideration.
