James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has discussed with the Health Service Executive the decision to discontinue the post of specialist liaison nurse in Cavan-Monaghan for the care of patients who have self-harmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22270/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has discussed with the Health Service Executive the decision to discontinue the post of specialist liaison nurse in Cavan-Monaghan for the care of patients who have self-harmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22271/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 27 together.

I am advised by the Health Service Executive that there has been no cessation in the response to self-harm presentations in Cavan/Monaghan.

Indeed, a range of liaison mental health services are provided by Cavan/Monaghan mental health services to the Cavan/Monaghan general hospital. Medical and nursing liaison is provided through home based treatment teams that provide a rapid response to presentations of acute psychiatric illness, including those involving self-harm. In addition, in February 2006, two clinical nurse specialists were appointed to the role of alcohol liaison between Cavan/Monaghan mental health services and Cavan/Monaghan general hospitals. This was in recognition of the established link between self-harm and alcohol. These nurses have screened 1,500 presentations to date and have engaged with more than 400 patients and their families.

The overall liaison services with Cavan/Monaghan general hospitals and therapeutic services are being reviewed and the role of deliberate self-harm nurse will be examined in that context. The purpose of this review is to ensure that these services are consistent and needs-led. The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) will be consulted as part of the review process. In addition, the National Suicide Research Foundation in Cork is currently considering best practice in the area of deliberate self-harm services in order to standardise the approach to service delivery.