Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

436 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent allegations that the discrimination psychiatrically ill patients endure is perpetuated as much by the health service as it is among the community and that some of the conditions in which psychiatric patients are being treated are akin to what one might see in Third World countries. [1306/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I acknowledge that there are shortcomings in the mental health services. The inspector of mental hospitals has highlighted these shortcomings in his annual report and it is my intention to facilitate health boards in bringing about the required improvements in the services. I have allocated an additional £12.2 million for improvements in mental health services in 2000, an increase of over 100% on the additional funding provided in 1999.

I am committed to the provision of quality health service delivery in psychiatric services and elsewhere. In 1998 my Department, in conjunction with the inspector of mental hospitals, published Guidelines on Good Practice and Quality Assurance in Mental Health Services. This document set out a series of desirable and achievable standards of care, both in relation to the physical structures in which care is delivered and the clinical and other issues associated with providing care. This publication has been circulated to all mental health professionals and administrators in the country.