Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2015
40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health considering his Department's concerns regarding the over-use of drugs with elderly and adult patients, if he has similar concerns regarding children in mental health and disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27667/15]
View answerA Vision for Change provides for a comprehensive model of mental health care which highlights a person-centred and recovery-focussed approach across a span of mental health services.
Where a person is referred to an appropriate health professional, and has been assessed and diagnosed as having a mental health condition, the diagnosis will inform the treatment plan for each individual. A range of interventions may be indicated in line with the agreed care plan and can include counselling, psychotherapeutic interventions, occupational therapy, social work input, or behavioural therapies. Other forms of support and intervention, including medication, are also designed to address identified biological, psychological or social needs and improve a person’s mental health.
Treatment with medication, where clinically indicated is administered in line with best practice and all available evidence. Medication can be a very important component of a treatment plan in promoting recovery and well-being. Such treatment is determined by the nature, severity and complexity of presenting problems and will always be accompanied by other therapeutic interventions. In certain situations, particularly where people are experiencing acute symptoms of a serious psychiatric disorder, medication treatment is a key intervention in alleviating distress and in the treatment of this phase of the illness.
The HSE is committed to ensuring that all aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are delivered in a consistent and timely fashion, regardless of where the service is accessed throughout the country. The HSE recently launched a Standard Operating Procedure for both in-patient and community CAMHS, the purpose of which is to ensure that the delivery of services for those with mental health issues is carried out in a consistent and transparent manner, and that the care and treatment reflects the identified clinical needs of the child.
The Mental Health Act 2001 also provides that the Office of the Inspector of Mental Health Services must also visit and inspect every approved centre, both for adults and children, both public and private, at least once in each year and furnish an annual report to the Mental Health Commission. This includes the quality of care and treatment given in such facilities, and examination of individual care plans, as appropriate.
In relation to Disability Services, inspections of designated centres are carried out under the Health Act 2007. The regulations in this area contain provisions relating to safeguards in respect of medication and pharmaceutical services, and set out the obligations of the service provider for medication management, and monitoring and review of medications.
Many children with disabilities take medications to support and improve their health conditions. Residential services have an overall responsibility to ensure that children receive effective and safe support to manage their medications when such assistance is required. Service providers are required to have policies and procedures in place to support this, outlining the parameters of the assistance that can be provided.
Records are kept to account for all medicines and these records must be available for examination by HIQA, the independent statutory body with responsibility for the registration and inspection of designated centres for children and adults with disabilities.
The Department, and the HSE, will continue to provide the best possible standards of care for children, irrespective of setting, and to advance the concepts of Quality and Safety at all times. The Executive, which has operational responsibility to deliver service at individual levels, should be notified immediately of any concerns arising in a particular care facility or in an individual case.
