Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a general rule, information on individual cases cannot be given due to patient confidentiality. For that reason, this parliamentary question is being answered in unspecific terms in relation to the individual regarding mental health services in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

The person was referred by a GP on 10 April 2017 and was assessed in the emergency department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and subsequently seen by the psychiatric non-consultant hospital doctor in the department of psychiatry on the same day. Following assessment the person was not admitted to the acute psychiatry department but was referred to the local community mental health team for further involvement in his care. The person was offered a new patient outpatient appointment on 23 May 2017 in his local area which he had confirmed by phone but unfortunately did not attend. He was offered an additional appointment on 13 June 2017, which he attended and he has a further review appointment pending which was offered by his local community mental health team.

A new multi-million acute psychiatric inpatient unit opened last September in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. This is a significant new capital development for people with severe, enduring and disabling mental health issues. Mental health remains a priority care programme for this Government. We are committed to increasing the mental health budget annually, as shown by the substantial additional funding of some €140 million since 2012.

With regard to specific complaints in relation to experiences of individuals in our hospitals, there is a formal complaints policy, entitled Your Service Your Say, details of which are on the HSE website. In accordance with this procedure, a complaint must be made in the first instance to the hospital in which the incident causing the complaint occurred. If an individual is not satisfied with the response from the hospital, a review can be sought from the HSE director of advocacy and the Ombudsman.

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