Ms Kate Mitchell:

I will address two of Deputy O'Brien's questions.

On data and the types of indicators which we should develop, I completely agree with Dr. McCarthy that there is a huge deficit in data collection and research. That spans the mental health system. For example, in primary care we have very little information on the numbers of people presenting to primary care settings with mental health difficulties, the types of mental health difficulties they are presenting with, or the types of care and treatment that they are receiving. One of the biggest issues we have with the lack of data in the mental health services is that we have no national information system whatever, which was a recommendation in A Vision for Change. As far back as 2007, a number of national and international economists recommended this very strongly, but we are still in the same position.

We should have very basic information such as detailed data on expenditure, where money is going, staffing and the quality of service people receive. One of the questions in that regard relates to how many people using mental health services are offered psychological therapy and how long are they obliged to wait. We do not have that information. We have absolutely no information on outcomes for people with mental health difficulties using the services, such as how many enter employment or how many are in secure housing. Those are the types of indicators we should be developing as the basis for an information system.

A Vision for Change is a very strong policy document that is still relevant but it did not discuss gender mainstreaming in the mental health services and did not provide any guidance in that area. That should be addressed in the current review of A Vision for Change.