Vol. 510 No. 5
21 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of in-patients in psychiatric hospital who have been residents for more than 20 years; if he will provide a breakdown by category of the reasons for initial admission; the reason patients have remained within hospitals for so long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22846/99]
According to figures received by my Department from the Health Research Board, a total of 1, 563 patients were in hospital for 20 years or more at 31 December 1997. However, I am advised that this figure should be treated with caution, as some persons may have been discharged from hospital without the relevant discharge information being forwarded for updating to the Health Research Board.
To ensure the Deputy can have accurate information in reply to his question, I have asked my Department to contact each of the psychiatric hospitals and units in each health board area for the information requested. It will be collated by my Department and I will forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
In general, the reason patients remain in psychiatric hospitals for lengthy periods is that they suffer from enduring mental illness. In the past, all patients with mental illness were treated in psychiatric hospitals. However, the policy in recent years has been to transfer patients for whom it is appropriate to more suitable residential accommodation in the community. Health boards are continuing to pursue that policy and are developing additional residential places as resources permit.
