Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which children or teenagers liable to self-harm continue to have ready access to support services such as counselling and follow-up visits; the degree to which patterns over the past number of years have illustrated the adequacy of such support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33569/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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337. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which children or teenagers liable to self-harm continue to have ready access to support services such as counselling and follow-up visits; the degree to which patterns over the past number of years have illustrated the adequacy of such support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31213/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 337 together.

In March 2016, the HSE Mental Health Division established the National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients Presenting to Emergency Departments following Self-Harm. This clinical programme specifically addresses the care and treatment required by people who present to the Emergency Departments of acute hospitals following an episode of self-harm or with prominent suicidal ideation.

The aim of this programme is to develop a standardised and effective process for the assessment and management of individuals of all age ranges, including children and adolescents, who present with self-harm to an Emergency Department. Training offered by this programme ensures that patients and their families have access to clinicians with sufficient expertise to provide high-quality, evidence-based care and treatment. Critical to the success of this clinical programme is the consolidation and further development of close working relationships between the Emergency Department clinical team, mental health liaison staff and Community Mental Health teams and GP services. The objectives of this programme are to improve the assessment and management of all individuals who present to an Emergency Department with self-harm; reduce rates of repeated self-harm; improve access to appropriate interventions at times of personal crisis; ensure rapid and timely linkage to appropriate follow-up care; and optimise the experience of families and carers in trying to support those who present with self-harm.

Following clinical assessment of a person who presents to an Emergency Department following self-harm, a decision regarding treatment of the individual is required. This may indicate admission to a general hospital, if physical care is required. If significant mental health considerations are clinically identified, referral to mental health services in accordance with the criteria set out in the Mental Health Acts may be appropriate. Alternatively, the individual could be referred to appropriate primary care services and supports. All such clinical decisions are set out in the Discharge and Management Plan – Emergency Care Plan developed with, and given to, the patient and family/friend (with consent). In addition, the HSE currently funds a number of agencies to provide a variety of counselling services to young people. This includes 13 Jigsaw sites nationally.

The points raised by the Deputy in relation to the pattern and adequacy of support services have been referred to the HSE, as this is an operational matter for direct reply.