Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2011
254 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has had any discussions with the health insurance providers on the inclusion of public and private services to treat eating disorders within health insurance packages; if he has asked the health insurance providers to review their policies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25488/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not had any discussions with health insurance providers in relation to this matter. However, each private health insurance provider in the Irish market has the right to determine how much capacity in any particular area is purchased by them to deliver the services required by their customers. Health insurance contracts must provide a certain minimum level of cover prescribed in the relevant regulations. Beyond that, it is not the role of the Minister for Health to direct private health insurers as to which services or facilities they cover. This is a commercial decision for the insurers themselves.
The national policy document for mental health ‘A Vision for Change' sets out the framework for the development of mental health services generally. HSE services for people with eating disorders are embedded in the Community Mental Health Teams and with Primary Care.
The HSE has developed a Mental Health in Primary Care accredited training programme for primary care practitioners with Dublin City University. The skills included in this programme are designed to enhance the capacity of primary care to recognise, assess and treat a range of mental illnesses within the primary care setting. As individuals with Eating Disorders frequently present to the primary care practitioner with complications of their condition, early intervention at this level greatly improves outcomes.
Community based Adult Mental Health Services receive referrals from Primary Care and provide assessment and treatment to individuals with eating disorders. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams provide a similar role for their cohort of referrals.
Where the individual's psychiatric or medical needs are more acute, in-patient admission is offered within the local psychiatric services or acute medical care where necessary.
Following the recommendation of the Consultant Psychiatrist, the HSE can and has worked with service providers in the independent sector to provide specialised care, on an in-patient and/or an out-patient basis. In a limited number of cases, referrals to specialised eating disorder services in Dublin or the UK can be clinically recommended and supported in appropriate circumstances subject of course to the necessary resources being available.
