Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Those who have repeatedly raised the shambles that is the health service in this House over the years have been treated by contempt by this Government, which has come up with excuse after excuse for why nothing seems to change. The situation in the mental health services has gone largely unmentioned. This is particularly true of mental health services for older people. Last Friday, the people of County Donegal learned that mental health services for older people in the county have been closed since 7 September last. We heard nothing about this from the HSE or the Government for three months. It was only when I was contacted by concerned family members who were having difficulty accessing services and clinics that we discovered what has happened. We learned that the clinical director of the service sent a letter to all GPs and senior HSE staff in the county in which he stated:

All referrals received by the Mental Health Service for Older People will be returned to sender. A liaison service to Letterkenny General Hospital can no longer be provided... Care of the Elderly Services in Donegal are [now] the sole providers for all needs of the elderly population.

This letter was sent because, in the words of the clinical director, "without urgent contingency planning, the Donegal Mental Health Service can no longer provide a consultant-led, safe service for the elderly population of Donegal".

I remind the Taoiseach that 78% of over 50s with depression are undiagnosed. A further 85% of people over the age of 50 who suffer from anxiety are also undiagnosed. Signs of depression in elderly people can also be symptoms of the early onset of dementia. If no service is available for older people, many cases could go undiagnosed, which might impose extra costs on the health services. As he comes from rural Ireland, the Taoiseach will be aware that many elderly people are suffering from isolation and loneliness, which can lead to increased anxiety and depression. How can they get help when services have been shut down? Mental health services have lost over 1,000 staff since 2008. In January of this year, staffing levels were just 77% of those recommended in A Vision for Change. What does the Taoiseach intend to do to restore mental health services for older people in County Donegal? When can we expect to see a consultant-led mental health service, which the Government has said is a priority? Does the Taoiseach think it is acceptable that GPs should be left to deal on their own with patients who present with mental health problems?

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