Future of Mental Health Care Committee seeks answers from HSE executives

The Committee has scheduled the hearing for 1:30 p.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House, in the hope of gaining a clear picture of the HSE’s current management structure for mental health care.
Wednesday’s scheduled witnesses are:

• Dean Sullivan, HSE deputy director general;
• Anne O’Connor, national director of community operations and former national director of mental health services;
• Pat Healy, national director of community strategy and planning; and
• Jim Ryan, head of mental health operations.

The Committee led by Senator Joan Freeman has been pressing the HSE to provide clarity on a range of issues following the organisation’s 2016 announcement that it planned to abolish the post of national director of mental health services and fold its duties into a new management structure.

“Getting answers to even simple matters from the HSE has proved far from straightforward,” Senator Freeman said. “Committee members are keen to hear how the HSE oversees mental health services and, if there is a lead official, what that official’s remit and authority are, particularly given the current flux at the top of the organisation.”

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