Liz McManus
Ceist:930 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when the report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for the year ended 31 December 2001 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15511/02]
Written Answers. - Health Services.
The report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2001 was published on 12 September 2002. I welcome the publication of this report and acknowledge the important role that the inspector plays in providing an accurate and detailed account of services in the mental health sector throughout the country.
It is my intention to facilitate the service providers in bringing about the improvements and developments identified by the inspector, as quickly as possible.
Liz McManus
Ceist:931 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the work programme of the Mental Health Commission for 2002-2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15512/02]
The Mental Health Commission was established with effect from 5 April 2002.
The detailed work programme of the commission is a matter for the commission itself to determine, in accordance with its statutory functions under the Mental Health Act. However, I understand that one of the priorities for the commission over the next year will be to put in place the structures required for the operation of mental health tribunals. The mental health tribunals, operating under the aegis of the Mental Health Commission, will conduct a review of each decision by a consultant psychiatrist to detain a patient on an involuntary basis or to extend the duration of such detention. The review will be independent, automatic and must be completed within 21 days of the detention-extension order being signed. As part of the review process the mental health tribunal will arrange, on behalf of the detained person, for an independent assessment by a consultant psychiatrist and the commission will also operate a scheme to provide legal aid to patients whose detention is being reviewed by a tribunal.
The Mental Health Commission will also appoint an inspector of mental health services which will replace the existing office of the inspector of mental hospitals. The inspector will be required to visit and inspect all approved centres at least once a year. The Minister will be empowered to make regulations specifying the standards to be maintained in all approved centres and these will be enforced by the inspector. The inspector's annual report and review of the mental health services will be published along with the commission's annual report.
The commission will also be required to put in place a system of registration of approved centres, as provided for in Part V of the Act. Section 72 of the Act provides for the temporary registration of existing centres for three years, to allow the Commission time to establish the new system.
Liz McManus
Ceist:932 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when the misplacement of people with learning disabilities will be phased out; the targets of each health board to have people placed in accommodation more appropriate to their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15513/02]
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the programme to transfer persons with an intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals to more appropriate care settings which is an integral part of the overall development programme for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
The number of persons with an intellectual disability accommodated in psychiatric hospitals in October 2002 is 452, down from 970 in 1996. There is specific mention of this programme in the Health Strategy with a stated objective to complete the overall transfer of persons with an intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals in all health board regions as soon as possible and not later than 2006. My Department will be working with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to achieve this objective.