Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Adams that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is closely involved in this. She met with the two senior officials from the Department and the HSE in regard to the situation that arose in Roscommon. I understand that HSE west has adequate nursing staff. This has been confirmed by senior personnel. However, they are inequitably distributed throughout the region, which is why the issue has to be addressed by redeployment. This is why the Minister of State was involved in the issue before it was ever raised in this House. I understand from the HSE that the Roscommon acute psychiatric unit has experienced a high level of sick leave among staff over the past number of weeks and, therefore, to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, which is very important, the HSE is operating acute services across Galway and Roscommon. I heard the comments from one of the co-ordinators of the psychiatric services this morning.

The HSE reports that a robust clinical plan was in place last weekend and it remains in place for the management of acute admissions across the region. The Deputy will be aware that Galway and Roscommon mental health services are managed as a single service across the two counties. There are three acute units in the area, in Roscommon, Ballinasloe and University College Hospital, Galway. If any one of these acute units reaches its maximum operational capacity because of the number of patients with illnesses, patients will receive treatment in one of the neighbouring units. That is normal practice across mental health units in Ireland. It is what should happen and does happen. I understand that no patient is turned away, as is being alleged. Any person who presents to the acute unit in Roscommon is seen by a psychiatrist who makes a clinical decision on treatment based on individual needs. I am sure that matter was discussed in detail with the Minister of State, who is more than capable of providing a detailed response.

In regard to the Deputy's question about child and adolescent mental health services, a child should only be admitted as an inpatient to a psychiatric facility as a last resort and should in so far as possible receive the necessary treatment in the community. We are speaking about major structural change in the way mental health services are delivered. For many years, the entire area of mental health services was hived off as the Cinderella of the health service. This Government has made it a central part of the delivery of normal health services. This is why the Minister of State is focused on dealing with the adjustments that have to be made around the country.

Where staff retired last year as part of the voluntary retirement scheme, it resulted in a reduction in psychiatric nursing capacity in many parts of the country but the replacement is not happening in strictly the same way because the institutions are moving into the community and services will be provided in communities by qualified personnel. The Minister of State met with the HSE and the Department of Health about the issue in Roscommon just last night.

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