Ms Siobhan McArdle:

Across the CHO we have a seven day service but it is at a basic level for all service users who access our rehabilitation and recovery services. For clients who have enduring mental illness, the rehabilitation and recovery teams provide weekend supports.

However, we are conscious that the service needs to be extended to all people who attend our general adult or community mental health teams. There is national recognition of this as well. The Midlands, Louth, Meath Community Healthcare Organisation has a home-based team skeletal service in the Louth-Meath area. The funding allocated in 2017 will be used to enhance the service in that part of the CHO. In addition, the funding allocated will be used to open day hospital services in the midlands to allow service users who access day hospitals during the week to have access over the weekends.

That is a welcome development. It will mean that if someone wishes to contact or access the service, he or she need not turn up at an admissions unit or emergency department. The person will have contact with staff who are familiar with the care of that person and the case. The staff will be available to assist these people over the weekends or assist their family members.

The staffing allocation is a small amount. We would like to see the home-based service rolled out throughout the full CHO area. We would also like the day hospital model to be rolled out throughout the rest of the CHO area. It is a work in development but it is most welcome.