Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

682. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements that have or are being made to ensure children are not admitted to adult mental health centres; the current number of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, beds available; if it is intended to increase the number of such beds; if so, in what locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24137/16]

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

The reduction in the numbers of children admitted to adult psychiatric units has been a priority for the HSE Mental Health Services over recent years. This important objective is again reflected in the agreed HSE Service Plan for this year.

Significant progress has been made since 2008 when there were 247 such admissions to adult units, and this subsequently declined to 89 in 2014. Last year, there was a slight increase to 95 such admissions, against a background of increasing demands overall on the HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health service. It should be noted that the number of admissions for 2015 does not necessarily equate to the actual number of children admitted, as an individual child may be admitted on more than one occasion over any given year. In 2015, there were a total of 356 Child and Adolescent Mental Health admissions, of which 261 (73%) were to age-appropriate units and 95 (27%) were to Adult Units. In May 2016, 97.2% of bed days used were in Child and Adolescent Inpatient Units, which is an improvement on 95.4% for April. Performance generally continues to be above the HSE Service Plan target figure of 95%, and indications also are that where a child has been admitted to an adult acute in-patient unit, the length of stay has been kept to a minimum.

The current HSE Service Plan allows for a degree of operational flexibility regarding emergency placements in adult units. This is particularly the case where very short-term placements take place, and where full account is taken of all other relevant factors such as the preferences of all those involved, or geographical considerations relating to access or visiting. In such situations, the HSE closely monitors on a weekly basis all child admissions to adult units, with a view to minimising admissions as much as possible.

The Government remains strongly committed to reducing, insofar as possible, the numbers involved in this issue, especially in light of the operational factors I have outlined. I hold regular meeting with the HSE Mental Health Division to specifically review progress on this matter, and to see what further improvements can be realised. I will be progressing this with the Executive over coming months, particularly in the context of opening additional Child and Adolescent Mental Health beds in Cork, thus increasing operational beds from the 66 at present to hopefully around 74 by year end. Other key related issues that need to be progressed include enhancing community based care for young people as additional mental health staffing comes on-stream, together with ensuring that existing best practice at local level is standardised nationally. I concur with the Deputy's concerns on this important issue, but I am satisfied that the HSE is working to absolutely minimise the number of children being placed short-term in adult mental health units, and that the Executive makes any special arrangements necessary in individual cases to protect and monitor these vulnerable young people.

The Government will also shortly launch the Task Force on Youth Mental Health, which will focus on promoting positive mental health and resilience among young people.