Vol. 552 No. 1
373 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a child or adolescent suffering from mental illness in the north west should not have access to an appropriate child and adolescent unit and have to accept an adult psychiatric hospital bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11722/02]
The first report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatry recommended that a total of seven child and adolescent in-patient units be developed throughout the country. The recommended size for each unit is 20 beds providing six beds for the under 12 age group and 14 beds for the 12-16 age group. However, the report also stated that health boards may wish to vary numbers depending on need in their own areas.
The report stated that, given the small population of the North-Western Health Board, the provision of a 20 bedded unit in the area would be difficult to justify. I am informed that the North-Western Health Board is currently considering this matter and plans to submit a proposal to my Department in due course.
