Vol. 492 No. 4
54 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children when the outstanding reports of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals will be published; if he has satisfied himself that patients and their relatives are fully informed of their rights in view of the concerns in relation to the detention of persons in psychiatric hospital; when the promised mental health Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14133/98]
The annual report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 1997 is at an advanced stage of preparation and I intend to have it published as soon as possible within the current year.
The Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals, in accordance with the Mental Treatment Act, 1945 and amending legislation, monitors and reports on the quality of care in the mental health services, including hospitals and units where patients are detained under current legislation on an annual basis. Furthermore, in pursuance of excellence in care and delivery of services and to assist care providers in attaining this objective, a document entitled — Guidelines on Good Practice and Quality Assurance in Mental Health Services — has been prepared with the assistance of the Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals within my Department and I intend, in the near future, to publish the document and have it circulated to all mental health service providers. A section of the guidelines document contains advice relating to informing patients of their rights under current mental treatment legislation.
A new mental health Bill is currently being prepared with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General. I hope to introduce the proposed new mental health legislation to both Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible date. This legislation will provide greater safeguards to protect the rights of those with a mental disorder who need to be detained for treatment and will bring Irish legislation into conformity with international law.
