Vol. 572 No. 2
62 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish systems and procedures for the collection and compilation of detailed data and regular research into all areas of children's mental health needs and level of ser vice provision as an essential prerequisite for the development of a quality service. [22590/03]
A working group was established by the Minister for Health and Children in June 2000 to make recommendations on how child and adolescent psychiatric services should be developed in the short, medium and long-term to meet identified needs.
To date, the Working Group on Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services has made recommendations in relation to the organisation of services for the treatment and management of attention deficit hyperactive disorder, (ADHD), the provision of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient units and the provision of services for 16-18 year olds.
In the course of its work on services for 16-18 year olds, the working group noted a lack of information on numbers of referrals and non-attendees at out-patient clinics. Among its recommendations was the establishment of a database in this area.
The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, will be considered in the context of the work of the recently established expert group on mental health policy. It is expected that the expert group will report within 18 months.
