Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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344. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding mental health services as a model of good practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27233/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Mental Health Service referred to by the Deputy is committed to improving the lives of the people with mental health problems in its catchment area. It does this through a well-established community focus and collaborative working with users of the service, carers and advocates. A priority for the service is the provision of patient-centred, recovery orientated services, in line with A Vision for Change, including Community Mental Health Teams, Home Focus Teams, a Recovery Bus, Trialogue Groups for family and friends and liaison with community and voluntary sector organisations, all of which are a fundamental part of an overall response to mental health needs in any area.

In relation to the availability of mental health services on a 24/7 basis I wish to advise the Deputy that specialist Mental Health Services generally, have reconfigured to provide Community Mental Health Teams for children and young people, working age and older adults. These Teams have the ability to respond to urgent/crisis referrals by GPs with most teams having slots for urgent cases to be seen that day or the next working day.

Outside normal working hours, all mental health services also have a crisis response capability provided through the on-call medical system which operates in all acute hospitals with a 24-hour Emergency Departments. This on-call system consists of a consultant psychiatrist together with an NCHD. The consultants and NCHDs work within the Community Mental Health Teams or in the Hospital Liaison Services and provide the on-call service in addition to their day time commitment with Community Mental Health Teams.

In addition, there is now a National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients presenting to Emergency Departments following Self-Harm. This is based on the recruitment of Clinical Nurse Specialists in psychiatry who work in Emergency Departments to provide a more rapid response to those who present with episodes of self-harm.

The HSE in its Service Plan for this year also commits to developing weekend services for existing vulnerable patients attending the mental health services that would benefit from contact over the weekend. This could be by way of phone call, attendance at the base in which the nurses are working or a domiciliary visit. This is already available in a number of areas.