Written answers

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Department of Health

Mental Health Services Provision

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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656. To ask the Minister for Health the forensic mental health services available. [12665/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) provides specialist forensic services to those who are referred from the Irish Prison Service, and the Youth Justice Service. It also provides consultation and advice to An Garda Síochána, and the Courts Service of Ireland.

A wide range of services are provided by the NFMHS, primarily through the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum. The current provision of these services, and plans to develop this specialty into the future, are outlined in the HSE Service Plan, 2016 and in greater detail in the Mental Health Division Operational Plan 2016 (pages 41-46), both of which are available on the HSE website. The Operational Plan outlines the service priorities for this year in detail. The NFMHS provides high and medium levels of therapeutic security, within a model of forensic recovery. This includes, for example, in-patient services at the CMH, along with supports for individuals in community settings or independent living, day centres, and specialised clinics. Improved service linkages have also been developed, including the Prison In-Reach and Courts Liaison service, and links to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

The HSE is improving all aspects of the NFMHS, including the construction of a modern forensic facility at Portrane, for both adults and children, to replace the Central Mental Hospital, and the planned development of regional centres, and enhancement of out-reach services.

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