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A Vision for Change

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Ceisteanna (539)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

539. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason an association (details supplied) was excluded from having an input into the review and refresh of A Vision For Change. [12491/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

The national mental health policy, A Vision for Change, ended its ten-year term in 2016, having been the cornerstone of mental health policy in Ireland since its publication in 2006. The Department of Health established the Oversight Group which reviewed this policy, with a view to the development of a successor document which would continue the process of modernising our mental health services and effectively promoting good mental health.The terms of reference for the review did not assume the need for a whole new policy document or a complete examination of policy from first principles, but rather sought to build on the good foundations of A Vision for Change, particularly given that many of its principles remained valid in terms of good practice, but could also be updated and extended to reflect the best of current thinking and evolving practices in the sector. The PNA provided input into those practices as they evolved during the ongoing modernisation of services under A Vision for Change.

In addition to the foregoing, the Oversight Group which revised the policy, and drafted Sharing the Vision - a Mental Health Policy for Everyone, engaged in a national public consultation process whereby over 1,200 participants including service users, family members, carers, peer workers, clinical staff, HSE management and the NGO sector offered input. The stakeholder meetings held as part of the consultation process were open to all, including staff affiliated with the PNA.

The Oversight Group also collected information from submissions, including one from the PNA, to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Mental Healthcare in Ireland and incorporated relevant recommendations into the refreshed policy. In addition, the chair of the Oversight Group, Mr Hugh Kane, met with members of the PNA and took account of its views in the work of the Oversight Group in developing the policy.

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