Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
625. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the work that is being undertaken to develop an independent complaints mechanism for children and adolescents accessing mental health services and supports; the estimated cost of the implementation of such a mechanism; when such a mechanism will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8230/22]
View answer838. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of setting up an independent complaints' mechanism for mental health services; if costing reviews have been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8175/22]
View answer861. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the work that is being undertaken to develop an independent complaints mechanism for mental health services and supports; the estimated cost of the implementation of such a mechanism; when such a mechanism will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 838 and 861 together.
The Department currently has no plans to introduce an independent complaints mechanism for mental health services nor has a review been carried out to ascertain cost of establishing such a mechanism. In line with the Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centre) Regulations 2006, each inpatient mental health service, as in general health services, must have a complaints procedure in place, such as the HSE’s ‘Your Service, Your Say’ service. I further note that 'Your Service, Your Say' is available to anyone accessing HSE mental health services, be that on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Following the investigation of the complaint by the HSE, an individual may request an internal review to be carried out by the HSE if they are not happy with the outcome. Furthermore, in cases where the complainant is not satisfied with the response to their complaint, they can request an external review from the Office of the Ombudsman, or in the case of child and adolescent services, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. This option is available to anyone who accesses our public health services, be it mental health services or otherwise.
The General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Mental Health Act, published in July 2021, provides for every person accessing treatment in an inpatient mental health facility to be given information about their care and treatment, including an explicit requirement to provide information on the service’s complaints procedure. Furthermore, the powers of the Inspector of Mental Health Services are being expanded to include 24-hour community residential facilities and community mental health services. As under the existing Act, the Inspector will continue to meet with any person accessing mental health services who has requested such a meeting.
The General Scheme also includes a statutory right to engage an advocate under numerous heads, including a definition of advocate under Section 2, information on advocacy to be provided to people in approved inpatient facilities under Section 16, 79 and 91, access to an advocate during a review board under Section 16B, during inquiries carried out by the Inspector under Section 55, or when making decisions about treatment under Sections 56 and 104.
There are a number of advocacy supports for people accessing mental health services offered by the public and voluntary sectors. The HSE currently provides some advocacy supports such as a Peer Advocacy Service in mental health. This service is concentrated on inpatient services and is delivered by an external agency on behalf of the HSE. In addition to adult advocacy services, HSE National Mental Health Services has a pilot scheme in place in two inpatient units to provide an advocacy service through an external provider for young people and their families using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides a free, confidential service to people with mental health difficulties, particularly people with complex needs. NAS is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board, which has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 and the Comhairle Act 2000 to provide advocacy for persons with disabilities. Citizens Information Centres can be found nationwide and provide free, impartial advice and advocacy, or the Citizens Information Phone Service can be reached by phone.
Sage Advocacy also provides some advocacy support to people with mental health difficulties, particularly older people, in their role in supporting and enabling vulnerable adults and older people to make their voices heard in their healthcare decisions. The Irish Advocacy Network provides peer advocacy supports to people with mental health difficulties which can be accessed on a self-referral basis.
