Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
1142. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the meeting with Roscommon-Galway primary, community and continuing care services on 4 July regarding mental health services in the area and the provision of an psychiatric intensive care rehabilitation unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35464/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of services at local level. This includes management of this particular facility as part of a single mental health service across Galway and Roscommon, which also encompasses similar acute units at Ballinasloe and Galway. In circumstances where one of these units reaches maximum operational capacity, for whatever reason, then incoming patients receive treatment in one of the other units. This is normal practice in acute mental health provision nationally.
It should be emphasised that addressing relevant issues at this facility can only be viewed in the context of wider changes in the health service, including in the mental health area, and the need to provide in the future the most appropriate and best possible service at this Unit, in line with agreed mental health policy and service norms applicable elsewhere. This process is currently being undertaken by the HSE and will obviously have to take account of all relevant options, including the type of unit proposed in the Deputy's question.
I have been closely monitoring developments on the issue raised and I met with officials from the Executive on 10 July last to review the evolving situation. The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to liaise with the Executive, with a view to ensuring the best outcomes for the future of the mental health services across Galway and Roscommon.
