Alan Kelly
Question:540. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30931/16]
View answerTuesday, 18 October 2016
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Written answers
'A Vision for Change', published in 2006, sets out a 10-year policy framework for Ireland's mental health services. It recommended that interventions should be aimed at maximising recovery from mental illness, building on service user and social network resources to achieve meaningful integration and participation in community life. In addition, it recommended that mental health services should be organised nationally in catchment areas for populations of between 250,000 and 400,000 and that specialist expertise should be provided by community mental health teams (CMHTs) - expanded multidisciplinary teams of clinicians who work together to fulfil the needs of service users.
Progress, while slower than originally anticipated, continues to be made in implementing the Report’s recommendations. A number of service improvements has been implemented in parallel with the accelerated closure of old psychiatric hospitals and their replacement with bespoke new facilities, better suited to modern mental health care. Service improvements include the development of adult and child & adolescent services, shorter episodes of in-patient care, the adoption of a recovery approach in the delivery of services, and the involvement of service users in service planning and delivery.
Other ongoing developments include the development of counselling services across both primary and secondary care, including early intervention at primary care level; a greater awareness of fostering mental health promotion in society through campaigns like the 'Let's Talk' and 'The Little Things' campaigns; the publication last year of the Expert Review Group Report on the Mental Health Act 2001 and the new Suicide Prevention Strategy 'Connecting for Life'; a reduction in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting lists for those waiting over 12 Months and the commencement of work on the new National Forensic Hospital to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.
In addition, funding has been made available to facilitate the transfer of some patients from the Forensic Mental Health Services to the community, investment in high observation in acute mental health units, the improvement of 24/7 services through additional liaison psychiatry services, new clinical programmes and provision of additional clinical space in community services.
'A Vision for Change' has guided national mental health policy for the past 10 years and its term ends this year. The Department will shortly be awarding a tender for a review and analysis of international evidence and best practice in the development of mental health services, including a review of current delivery of services in Ireland. The outcome of this review will inform the parameters of a review of 'A Vision for Change'.