Thursday, 13 Jul 2017

Written Answers Nos. 810-830

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (810)

James Browne

Question:

810. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the 17 mental health areas within the nine community health care organisations that provide a full weekend support. [34366/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (811, 812, 813)

James Browne

Question:

811. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions under the Mental Health Acts that had their status regraded from voluntary to involuntary; and the number of admissions that had their status regraded from involuntary to voluntary for each of the years 2012 to 2016 to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/17]

James Browne

Question:

812. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons admitted involuntarily for each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, that did not have a tribunal review of their detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34368/17]

James Browne

Question:

813. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of admission orders revoked under the Mental Health Acts before a mental health tribunal was held for each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34369/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 811 to 813, inclusive, together.

Figures sought by the Deputy for the years 2012 to 2017 are set out in the following table:

Year	Numbers regraded from Voluntary to Involuntary Status	Number of Admissions and Renewal Orders revoked before Mental Health Tribunal is held	Number of Admissions and Renewal orders revoked at Mental Health Tribunal
2012	567	1530	142
2013	541	1457	171
2014	507	1514	149
2015	608	1661	170
2016	606	1648	203
2017	204*	689*	69*

* Figures to end May 2017

Under the 2001 Act, a person who is involuntarily admitted to an approved centre has their admission or renewal order independently reviewed by a mental health tribunal within 21 days. This includes patients who were regraded from a voluntary patient to an involuntary patient. Every tribunal is made up of a chairperson, a consultant psychiatrist and a lay-person and adults receive free legal representation.

It is important to emphasise that Section 28 of the Mental Health Act 2001 obliges the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the patient to revoke an order where they become of the opinion that the patient is no longer suffering from a mental disorder as defined in the Act. However, even if an order is revoked before a Mental Health Tribunal, the patient is written to and offered a hearing and the patient's legal representative will advise them in relation to this. The Mental Health Commission has noted an increase in the uptake of Section 28 hearings in 2017, however, statistics on same have not yet been collated. I will ask the Mental Health Commission to collate these figures and I will pass them on to the Deputy when they are provided to me.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (814)

James Browne

Question:

814. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the 34 posts in the National Forensic Mental Health Service which are required to meet more secure therapeutic environments for those persons who meet the criteria for section 21(2) of the Mental Health Act 2001 that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34370/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (815)

James Browne

Question:

815. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a first appointment with a psychologist, following referral for one, two, three, three plus to six, six plus to nine, nine plus to 12 and 12 plus months, by Health Service Executive administrative area, in tabular form. [34371/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (816)

James Browne

Question:

816. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a first appointment with a psychiatrist following referral for one, two, three, three plus to six, six plus to nine, nine plus to 12 and 12 plus months by health service executive administrative areas, in tabular form. [34372/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Expenditure

Questions (817)

James Browne

Question:

817. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the budgeted and actual spending by mental health administrative area from 2012 to 2016, inclusive and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [34373/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Prescriptions Data

Questions (818)

James Browne

Question:

818. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who were prescribed anti-depressant medication by local health area in each of the years 2011 to 2016, in tabular form. [34374/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Data

Questions (819)

James Browne

Question:

819. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards issued in County Wexford in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34375/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Questions (820)

James Browne

Question:

820. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with a County Wexford address who have presented with symptoms of breast cancer and have been referred to a cancer centre and are waiting for more than three months, more than six months, more than one year, and more than two years respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34376/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Mental Health Commission Reports

Questions (821)

James Browne

Question:

821. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission report, The Human Cost, that have been implemented by his Department. [34377/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 2011 report by the Mental Health Commission, The Human Cost, looked at the interplay between economic hardship and mental health. This report identified a number of recommendations, which were directed at a variety of organisations.

In relation to the health sector, the report for example advocated a programme of appropriate training, provided on a regular basis, to staff in contact with people experiencing serious financial difficulty, and particularly highlighted the benefits of SafeTALK and ASIST training. This training continues to be available, with the National Office for Suicide Prevention involved in a range of training initiatives around suicide prevention and mental health promotion. The National Office for Suicide Prevention has responsibility for coordination of the national education and training plan associated with Connecting for Life, our national strategy to reduce suicide 2015-2020. As part of this, they are responsible for delivering awareness training programmes prioritising professionals and volunteers across community-based organisations; providing community-based organisations with guidelines, protocols and training on suicide prevention; and delivering training in suicide prevention to staff involved in the delivery of relevant services. Since 2004, over 70,000 adults have received free training in suicide prevention through the ASIST and SafeTALK programmes. SafeTALK training is suitable for everyone over 18 years of age who wants to help prevent suicide and become suicide alert, and is delivered on request. HSE Regional Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention can be contacted in relation to this or to find out more information about available training.

The report also suggests further awareness and information on mental health would be useful. There are a range of such initiatives in place, such as the publication of ‘Concerned about Suicide’, a suicide prevention leaflet, and mental health information and anti-stigma campaigns such as the 'Green Ribbon' and 'Little Things' campaigns. It also suggests the creation of a leaflet with basic information on mental health (including definitions/descriptions of different disorders) for the financial services sector. A separate Parliamentary Question the Deputy submitted today on this latter issue has been sent to the HSE for direct reply, as this is a specific operational matter.

Mental Health Awareness

Questions (822)

James Browne

Question:

822. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his Department has produced a mental health information leaflet for the financial services sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34378/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Data

Questions (823)

James Browne

Question:

823. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented for mental health services to HSE facilities in County Wexford in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of persons who presented for mental health services to HSE facilities with a residential address in County Wexford in each of the years from 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34379/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (824, 825)

James Browne

Question:

824. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated construction and operation costs of a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34380/17]

James Browne

Question:

825. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the methodology contained within the Herity report on cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford. [34381/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 825 together.

The Programme for Government committed to the development of a second cath lab at the University Hospital Waterford (UHW), subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review. This independent clinical review was completed by Dr Niall Herity, a highly respected, Belfast-based NHS cardiologist. I consider that Dr Herity's approach to the analysis and interpretation of the available evidence was independent, thorough and scientifically robust and took account of best international practice and guidance. Accordingly, I have accepted Dr Herity's findings and recommendations in their entirety.

In relation to the Deputy’s specific query regarding the estimated construction and operation costs of a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

The Deputy may wish to note that, while Dr Herity found that the needs of the effective catchment population of UHW can be accommodated in a single cath lab, he recommended increased investment in cardiology services at the hospital. Additional funding of €0.5m has been provided to UHW in 2017 which will enable the hospital to provide 2 additional cath lab sessions (8 hours) per week. A procurement process is also in train for the provision of a temporary mobile cath lab at the hospital. This will contribute to the further reduction in elective cardiology waiting lists at UHW.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (826)

James Browne

Question:

826. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a CAMHS appointment for children in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34382/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (827)

James Browne

Question:

827. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on persons with psychiatric illnesses residing in the same facilities as those who have minor mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In January 2006, the Government adopted the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy 'A Vision for Change' as the basis for the future development of mental health services in Ireland. Alongside other recommendations, it advocated:

- A holistic view of mental illness and an integrated multidisciplinary approach to addressing the biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to mental health problems;

- A move away from traditional institutional-based care to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service;

- A person-centred treatment approach which addresses each of these elements through an integrated care plan, reflecting best practice, evolved and agreed with both service users and their carers.

The HSE provides a comprehensive range of community-based mental health services, which include out-patient care: out-patient clinics (clients referred by GPs), day hospitals, day centres, home visits from the mental health team, referral to clinical psychological services, referral to addiction counselling services, access to social work or occupational therapy services and referral back to your GP for continuous care. In-patient care, often of short duration, is provided with a view of achieving recovery as soon as possible.

Admissions to such units would be based on various factors such as professional assessment, the wishes of the person involved and their families, availability of services, etc. In addition, all approved residential mental health centres are subject to strict inspection criteria by the Mental Health Commission, that promote the highest possible standards of safety and quality care. Complaints procedures exist in relation to investigating any concerns of the type raised by the Deputy, and if you have any specific information in this regard, it should be brought to the attention of the HSE.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (828, 831, 832)

James Browne

Question:

828. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the average number of home help hours the HSE provided to persons in County Wexford in each of the years from 2011 to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34384/17]

James Browne

Question:

831. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home help in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34387/17]

James Browne

Question:

832. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for home help services in County Wexford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34388/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 828, 831 and 832 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Home Help Service Data

Questions (829, 830)

James Browne

Question:

829. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the HSE's expenditure on agency staff for home help care; for County Wexford in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34385/17]

James Browne

Question:

830. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of home help staff employed by the HSE in County Wexford in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34386/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 830 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.