Written answers

Thursday, 31 January 2013

Department of Health

Mental Health Services

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether a Vision For Change supports the provision of community based mental health services; if his attention has been drawn to the threat to the continued operation of a community mental health clinic (details supplied) in County Cork by the removal of secretarial support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4886/13]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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A Vision for Change sets out a comprehensive framework for the development of all mental health services and recommends a move away from the traditional institutional based model of care to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service, where need for hospital admission is greatly reduced, while still providing in-patient care when appropriate. This Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community and in this regard substantial additional funding has been provided in 2012 and 2013 primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems, and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

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