Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016
14. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to end the scandal of adolescents being placed in acute adult mental health settings due to a lack of suitable inpatient spaces for young persons; when he will phase out this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/16]
View answerThe HSE aims for the placement of children in age appropriate mental health settings as much as possible. A 95% target of appropriate placement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Units is indicated in the National Service Plan 2016. This allows for some operational flexibility surrounding emergency placements in Adult Units. Examples of factors that influence such admissions include the availability of a bed in, or the distance to, the nearest Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, the wishes of the young person involved, or the need for an urgent clinical assessment. While it remains challenging for the HSE to meet this ambitious target, significant progress has been made; there were 95 admissions to adult units in 2015 compared to 247 such admissions in 2008. It is a priority for the HSE to keep such admissions to a minimum, and this is kept under constant review.
The admission of a child or adolescent to an Acute Adult Inpatient Unit is only made following a clinical assessment of the needs of the individual at community level, and in consultation with the HSE Mental Health Directorate. The Mental Health Commission is also informed of any admission of a child into an adult unit.
There are currently 66 operational Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds across the country. This includes extra 8 beds recently opened in the new Linn Dara Unit in Dublin, and further beds for those under 18 are scheduled to open in the system. In the context of expanding child bed capacity, the HSE is endeavouring at present to address staff recruitment or retention difficulties in certain facilities, such as the Eist Linn unit in Cork. As these staffing issues are resolved, the potential exists for an overall national capacity of 76 operational Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds in the system.
I am satisfied that the HSE is making progress in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy, while taking account of the wishes of each young person, their parents or guardians, and the complexities of each case. This includes factors such as geographic location, the expected length of stay, which is usually very short-term, and the age of the young persons involved, which is usually in the 16-18 year age bracket. The HSE also makes special arrangements, where such placements occur, to ensure specific supports and protections for those involved under age 18.
The Department will continue to closely monitor this issue, in conjunction with the HSE, to ensure that the various new initiatives contribute to improving CAMHS services across all regions. While it is not possible to attach specific timeframes to eliminating this practice completely every effort will be made to achieve further progress on this issue.
