Vol. 509 No. 1
236 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of high quality residential places available to people who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and psychological illnesses which require full-time care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19930/99]
Post traumatic stress disorder is a form of anxiety disorder, which occurs when a person is exposed to an extremely traumatic event such as a major accident, rape or other severe physical experiences. Persons suffering from post traumatic stress disorder are encouraged to talk about the events frequently and to release pent-up emotions on each occasion. Long-term residential care is not normally indicated for post traumatic stress disorder. Instead, skilled and persistent counselling and debriefing sessions are provided immediately after the traumatic event to reduce the frequency and severity of the disorder. In-patient care is provided by the appropriate hospital services, if required.
The trend in recent years has been to treat patients suffering from psychological illnesses as far as is possible in a community setting. Out-patient clinics are now provided in 240 locations in the various mental health services throughout the country. In addition, 1,113 places were available in 69 day hospitals and 2,349 places were available in 108 day centres at the end of 1997, the latest year for which published figures are available. Where in-patient treatment is deemed necessary, it is provided in the local acute psychiatric unit or hospital, beds being allocated on the basis of patient need at any particular time.
