Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:535. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his plans to prioritise child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, for children in care; and the way in which he will achieve this [30911/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 October 2016
Ceisteanna (535)
Freagraí scríofa
Additional funding provided for mental health services in the recent Budget accords with our Programme for Government commitments to improve all aspects of mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. The allocation for mental health in 2017 will total around €851 million thereby giving an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016.
In line with the recommendations of A Vision for Change, the HSE has prioritised the mental health needs of those under age 18 by developing services in accordance with the HSE National Service Plan, and Operational Plans for 2016. Child and Adolescent Mental Health services fall within the secondary and tertiary levels of specialist care. A young person therefore must have a moderate to severe mental illness in order to access specialist services, based on professional assessed need.
The publication of new Standard Operating Procedures in June 2015 has provided greater clarity and consistency on how this specialist mental health service for children should be delivered nationally. The HSE works closely with TULSA to provide specialist services to children in care. Improvements on this specific issue are subject to regular review, and operational improvements, given evolving service pressures and availability of resources. It is important to note that, despite increasing demands overall on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health system, irrespective of the source of referrals, individual cases assessed as requiring urgent access to such services receive priority.
The HSE is also improving collaboration between the Mental Health and Primary Care Divisions of the Executive in the areas of Preventative, Early Intervention and Counselling services for young people. Depending on the level of acuity presenting, in the vast majority of cases young people will be assessed and treated at Primary Care level, or in Social Care or Disability services, without needing specialist clinical input. The latter is only one element of an overall care approach that can be provided to young people to promote positive mental health.