Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

14. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to end the scandal of adolescents being placed in acute adult mental health settings due to a lack of suitable inpatient spaces for young persons; when he will phase out this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The HSE aims for the placement of children in age appropriate mental health settings as much as possible. A 95% target of appropriate placement in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Units is indicated in the National Service Plan 2016. This allows for some operational flexibility surrounding emergency placements in Adult Units. Examples of factors that influence such admissions include the availability of a bed in, or the distance to, the nearest Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, the wishes of the young person involved, or the need for an urgent clinical assessment. While it remains challenging for the HSE to meet this ambitious target, significant progress has been made; there were 95 admissions to adult units in 2015 compared to 247 such admissions in 2008. It is a priority for the HSE to keep such admissions to a minimum, and this is kept under constant review.

The admission of a child or adolescent to an Acute Adult Inpatient Unit is only made following a clinical assessment of the needs of the individual at community level, and in consultation with the HSE Mental Health Directorate. The Mental Health Commission is also informed of any admission of a child into an adult unit.

There are currently 66 operational Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds across the country. This includes extra 8 beds recently opened in the new Linn Dara Unit in Dublin, and further beds for those under 18 are scheduled to open in the system. In the context of expanding child bed capacity, the HSE is endeavouring at present to address staff recruitment or retention difficulties in certain facilities, such as the Eist Linn unit in Cork. As these staffing issues are resolved, the potential exists for an overall national capacity of 76 operational Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds in the system.

I am satisfied that the HSE is making progress in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy, while taking account of the wishes of each young person, their parents or guardians, and the complexities of each case. This includes factors such as geographic location, the expected length of stay, which is usually very short-term, and the age of the young persons involved, which is usually in the 16-18 year age bracket. The HSE also makes special arrangements, where such placements occur, to ensure specific supports and protections for those involved under age 18.

The Department will continue to closely monitor this issue, in conjunction with the HSE, to ensure that the various new initiatives contribute to improving CAMHS services across all regions. While it is not possible to attach specific timeframes to eliminating this practice completely every effort will be made to achieve further progress on this issue.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Health the plans he has in place to extend crisis intervention teams and counselling in primary care services for persons with mental health difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current development of Crisis Houses, and Crisis Intervention Teams, form part of a spectrum of service supports for individuals with a mental illness presenting in crisis. One of the objectives of the HSE Mental Health Division has been to improve the response of mental health services for individuals in such circumstances. This includes accommodation and treatment for an individual in the most appropriate setting, relevant to their presenting need.

The new Programme for Government commits to further enhancing 24/7 service support and liaison teams in primary and emergency care, building on the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2016 for this area, including the development and staffing of crisis houses and the crisis response generally, and enhanced 24/7 access to specialist services where a psychiatric assessment considers this necessary.

Counselling is provided across the health service by both the HSE and the voluntary sector, including in primary care, but also within social care and mental health services. Counselling can be provided by a range of trained health professionals operating in primary care or more specialist services to meet clinical needs.

The Counselling in Primary Care service is a national service expanded in recent years to increase the access to counselling and psychotherapy and to supplement existing services provided at primary care level. Since 2012, €7.5 million has been provided to develop this service. The service provides short term counselling for adults with non-complex psychological problems aged 18 years and over who hold a valid medical card.

Counselling and psychotherapy are provided within specialist community mental health teams when service users are clinically assessed as requiring this intervention. Counselling is also provided by a range of voluntary organisations across the health service. The HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention also funds voluntary organisations such as Pieta House and Console to provide support across a range of needs.

The HSE National Service Plan 2016 identifies priorities for allocation of new development funding this year including the continued development of early intervention and counselling services. This includes funding for the development of counselling services in primary care for young people, in collaboration with the mental health services, and funding for the provision of new Jigsaw mental health services for young people in Cork, Dublin City centre and Limerick. The Department of Health is currently examining proposals from the HSE relating to the development of these specific initiatives for enhanced services, as well as proposals for the ongoing development of a range of existing and new specialist mental health services. It is expected that a decision on the release of the development funding for 2016 will be made shortly.