Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Health

Mental Health Services Provision

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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360. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a formal or informal policy operating within the health and emergency services of refusing care to mental health and suicidal cases if the individual is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. [7764/16]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The standard practice for patients presenting to Emergency Departments with mental health issues who have also misused substances is that the mental health assessment is postponed until the individual is no longer intoxicated and is medically fit to engage in the assessment process. In the interim, the patient remains under the care of the Hospital Emergency Department Team.

As part of the Self Harm Clinical Programme in operation since 2014, 33.5 Clinical Nurse Specialists have been allocated to Emergency Departments to provide a rapid response (assessment and follow up) to people presenting with self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

Service users presenting with co-morbid mental health and addiction problems are mostly seen by general adult Community Mental Health Teams, who offer both addiction counselling expertise and mental health intervention as part of an integrated care plan. These teams are also responsible for linking these service users to community-based recovery and support programmes as part of facilitating full community re-integration.

Additionally, the HSE Mental Health Directorate has plans to implement a new ‘Dual Diagnosis’ clinical programme in 2016 which aims to address those service users with co-morbid mental health and addiction problems. The overarching aim of this national programme is to standardise quality evidence based practice across the Mental Health Services, bringing together clinical disciplines and enabling them to share innovative solutions to deliver greater benefits to every user of HSE services.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of the 40-bed mental health unit at the Cherryfield site in Killarney, County Kerry; the timeframe for the opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7780/16]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

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