Mick Wallace
Question:134. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his Department's policy or plans for early intervention for psychosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/15]
View answerMental Health Services Provision
Questions (134)
Written answers
Since coming into office, this Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with the recommendations in A Vision for Change. We are committed to reducing the stigma of mental illness, ensuring early and appropriate intervention and improving access to modern mental health services in the community.
A Vision for Change acknowledged the increasing emphasis on prompt identification and intervention with initial or early episodes of psychosis. It also noted the evidence which indicates that there is a clear relationship between the length of time it takes to respond to an individual’s first experience of psychosis and long-term outcome for that service user. If the illness is recognised and treated at an earlier stage, evidence has shown that more people will make a better recovery. An early intervention for psychosis service aims to treat people with psychotic conditions as soon after the onset of symptoms as possible.
The National Clinical Programme for Mental Health was set up in 2010 as a joint initiative between the HSE Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division and the College of Psychiatry of Ireland. A National Clinical Advisor/Clinical Programme Group Lead has been appointed. The aim of the post is to oversee the development of the Mental Health Clinical Programmes, providing leadership and guidance to effect the development of best practice care pathways, to support their approval and to oversee implementation by the local Mental Health Areas.
The overarching aim of the national programmes is to standardise quality evidence based practice across the Mental Health Services. The Mental Health Clinical Programme currently has three programmes. These are:
- Early Intervention for People Developing First Episode Psychosis.
- National Clinical Care Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients Presenting to Emergency Departments following Self-Harm.
- Eating Disorders Service Spanning Child and Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Services.
These programmes address identified areas of high need and provide a programmatic response in which integration with other relevant services is key to successful delivery and reform.
The HSE National Service Plan 2015 commits to establishing the three Clinical Programmes through the appointment of Clinical Leads and implementation of an agreed monitoring framework. The 2015 Plan also commits to the design and establishment of two additional Clinical Programmes informed by emerging models of care.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (135)
Mick Wallace
Question:135. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if there are any multidisciplinary teams in County Wexford which work on early intervention for psychosis or other disorders; if so, if these teams are fully staffed; if there are community-based interventions for such disorders in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/15]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (136)
Colm Keaveney
Question:136. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for an MRI scan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22532/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (137)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:137. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will provide home help in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [22538/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (138)
Jack Wall
Question:138. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22541/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Mental Health Services Funding
Questions (139)
Colm Keaveney
Question:139. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the budgeted spending and actual spending for each mental health administrative area, for each year from 2012 to 2014 and for 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22548/15]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (140)
Robert Troy
Question:140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment at University Hospital Galway in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [22558/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.