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Hospital Procedures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Questions (647)

Mark Ward

Question:

647. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if electroconvulsive therapy is carried out in public hospitals; if so, the number of patients that were treated this way and in which locations in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56111/21]

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Written answers

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the numbers of persons treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as soon as possible.

The provision of ECT for people receiving inpatient mental health treatment in an approved centre may only be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Section 59 of the Mental Health Act 2001.

These provisions were updated by the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015 which removed the term 'unwilling' from Sections 59 and 60. ECT may only be carried out without the consent of the individual concerned in cases where the individual is unable to consent and where it has been approved by two consultant psychiatrists. The Mental Health Commission is responsible for making Rules regarding the use of ECT, and the treatment may only be administered in accordance with these Rules.

As the Deputy will be aware, a General Scheme to amend the Mental Health Act 2001 was approved by Government on 13 July 2021. Amendments to the 2001 Act proposed under the General Scheme provide for an updated process for ECT, stating that the person must consent to treatment and, if they lack capacity, then the provisions of Section 57 should be followed in line with the decision-making supports outlined in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.

The Department of Health will work with the Office of the Attorney General to prepare a Bill in line with the General Scheme. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill by the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health began on 2 November 2021. The Department will continue to work with the Sub-Committee and the Office of the Attorney General to prepare a Bill for introduction to the Oireachtas as early as possible in 2022.

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