Bernard Allen
Ceist:210 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has regarding the future development of mental health services, especially in the practice of patient escorts. [17724/01]
Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and Children, the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU, under the auspices of the Health Service Employers Agency, regarding the provision of patient escorts. It has been proposed that the most practical way to address the implementation of a formal structure for patient escorts is to first agree protocols, with the involvement of the relevant stakeholders, through the establishment of a working group with the following terms of reference "to review the practice of patient escorts in the context of the future development of mental health services and, in particular, the provisions of the Mental Health Bill and to make recommendations in relation to future practice."
In this connection, nominations have been sought from the relevant stakeholders to serve on the working group. The first meeting of the group will be convened as soon as possible.