James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The fact the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health could not even give a reason as to why he is not here is totally unacceptable. It shows the Government’s level of contempt for this House.

There is nothing new in this case. The Mental Health Commission found that the Waterford department of psychiatry had a mere 57% compliance rate this year. The alternate unit nearby, St. Luke’s in Kilkenny, was prosecuted in the criminal courts for patient neglect. This shows the lack of care provided across the south east. There was nothing in the HSE’s capital plan this year for the provision of new units in the south east. There is a mention of a business case. Where is the healthcare or moral case? Why does one need a business case to ensure patients should not be left lying on floors or sitting in chairs?

People recover best when they are treated locally. The Minister of State’s response referred to remote psychiatric consultations. That is of no benefit to people who need inpatient care, however. We used to have one of the highest numbers of psychiatric beds in the world. Too many people were kept in inappropriate facilities. We now have the complete opposite with a complete shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds in which people can recover. The Minister needs to intervene and put a plan in place for the south east to ensure psychiatric patients can recover in a safe and appropriate environment.

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