Mental Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2015

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Questions (131)

Mick Wallace

Question:

131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 26 May 2015, the measures that are in place to ensure that patients presenting at Wexford General Hospital with mental health issues and who have also misused substances do not get discharged before they have been assessed, in view of the standard practice of postponing assessment until the patient is no longer intoxicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22524/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In line with the previous answer which issued to the Deputy from the HSE, the standard practice for patients presenting with mental health issues who have also misused substances is that the assessment would be postponed until the individual is no longer intoxicated and is medically fit to engage in the assessment process. In the interim, the patient remains under the care of the Hospital Emergency Department Team.

I understand that the HSE is conducting a Systems Analysis investigation regarding the case referred to by the Deputy. I will ask the HSE to consider the point made by the Deputy in the context of the ongoing monitoring of their procedures and practices and having regard to the particular circumstances in this case.