Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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919. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the poor conditions facing persons in emergency departments that present with suicide risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34669/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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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, adolescents, adults and older adults, 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 with regard to ongoing 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 general, the HSE Service Plan, including that for Mental Health, stresses the need for more person-centred and responsive care. In addition, significant progress has been made in recent years to improve the infrastructure of health facilities including Emergency Departments.