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Mental Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2010

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Ceisteanna (61)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

59 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the calls of an association (details supplied) to provide age appropriate mental health services for children and in particular to end the use of adult in-patient facilities for children, to develop adolescent community mental health teams, and to establish a national directory of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18518/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The development of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a priority for the HSE. There are now 55 consultant led child and adolescent teams in place throughout the country and a further 8 teams are in development. During 2009 the bed capacity for children and adolescents almost doubled, bringing the total number of in-patient beds to 30. Construction is almost complete on two purpose built 20-bed units in Cork and Galway and work commenced recently on the Linn Dara Child andAdolescent Facility at Cherry Orchard, which will provide a day hospital as well as accommodation for mental health teams, administrative staff and training and library facilities.

In October 2009, the HSE launched the first annual report on CAMHS which provides comprehensive data on activity in the CAMHS services. The HSE now has baseline information which can be built on to improve performance and to assist in decisions regarding how mental health services are developed into the future. The appointment by the HSE of an Assistant National Director as national lead on Mental Health in November, 2009, is key to ensuring that the delivery of mental health services is in line with legislation and Government policy.

With regard to the admission of children to adult units, the position is that in June 2009 the Mental Health Commission issued an addendum to the code of practice relating to the admission of children under the Mental Health Act 2001 which provides that. No child under 16 years is to be admitted to an adult unit in an approved centre from 1st July 2009; No child under 17 years is to be admitted to an adult unit in an approved centre from 1st December 2010; and No child under 18 years is to be admitted to an adult unit in an approved centre from 1st December 2011. If, in exceptional circumstances, the admission of a child to an adult unit in an approved centre occurs, the approved centre is obliged to submit a detailed report to the Mental Health Commission outlining why the admission has taken place.

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