John Browne
Question:45. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of mental health services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43009/15]
View answerThursday, 3 December 2015
Questions (45)
Written answers
The National Strategy for Mental Health, A Vision for Change, proposed a change in service delivery from a bed based in-patient service towards a community based service. In Wexford, Mental Health Services are arranged by geographic location. There are General Adult Mental Health Teams based in Summerhill, Wexford (7-day service), Maryville, New Ross (5-day service), Carn House, Enniscorthy (7-day service) and Tara House, Gorey (7-day service).
In addition, there is a Psychiatry of Old Age Team providing services for people aged 65 years and over. Also, the Rehabilitation Team works with internal referrals from the General Adult Teams for people with chronic and enduring mental health issues.
There are four day hospitals in County Wexford; three of which are open seven days per week (9am to 5pm). If someone is feeling suicidal, and wish to have a consultation, they can be referred through their General Practitioner to any of the four day hospitals and be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist. General Practitioners are familiar with the process for making such referrals. If someone presents to the Emergency Department in Wexford General Hospital, who has not been referred through their General Practitioner, and is found to require a psychiatric assessment, then they are seen by a nurse-led liaison service (9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday) which will assess and triage, as appropriate. If the person is deemed to require admission for further assessment, diagnosis or treatment for a mental health illness, the liaison nurse makes contact with the Consultant on-call to make a referral and the person would be admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in University Hospital Waterford. If someone self-presents at the Emergency Department in Wexford General Hospital, and also requires medical attention, they would treated for their physical condition in the first instance. People who self-refer to the Emergency Department, Wexford General Hospital between 5pm to 9am, and who may require psychiatric assessment, will first be triaged by staff in that Emergency Department.
In line with the significant ring-fenced resources provided by this Government to prioritise and enhance mental health nationally, services in Wexford are being developed on an evolving basis, including the recruitment of additional appropriate staff to improve care provision. This has been underpinned, for example, by an overall budget allocation for Waterford/Wexford Mental Health services which increased by over €2m in 2015, from an allocation of just over €39m in 2014 to slightly over €41m this year. The Waterford/Wexford area received a total of 61 new development posts for mental health since 2012. I will ensure that, in common with other areas of the country, the mental health service in this geographic area will improve over 2016, as part of an overall package of new initiatives planned by the Government over the course of next year.