asked the Minister for Health arising from his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 25 June 1987, in relation to the review of individual cases of patients in psychiatric hospitals which he stated are undertaken by the consultant psychiatrist responsible for that patient's treatment; whether there is any system in place which insists on such reviews being taken regularly; if so, the extent of that period; whether there is an automatic review annually by the board of the hospital; and whether it is the case that some patients may not have had reviews of their cases for many years.
Written Answers. - Psychiatric Hospital Patients.
158.
Section 225 of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945, as amended, requires the resident medical superintendent to make available to the chief executive officer of the health board, at least once in each year, case books showing the condition of each patient detained in district mental hospitals.
Apart from this statutory requirement, all patients in these hospitals have been assessed during the past two years not only as to their current clinical condition but also as to their suitability for rehabilitation and discharge to appropriate community facilities.