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Minister for Health and Children
The report of the Expert Group on Mental
Health Policy, entitled "A Vision for Change", was launched in January
2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high
quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years. "A Vision for
Change" recommends that child and adolescent mental health services
should provide mental health services to all aged 0-18 years.
Transitional arrangements to facilitate the expansion of current service
provision pending the provision of new child and adolescent units were
considered and planned by a HSE forum on Child and Adolescent
Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity. The forum's report was published in
September 2006 and has been accepted by the board of the HSE. It
recommended, as an interim measure pending the development of child and
adolescent in-patient units, the provision of an additional 24-32
dedicated adolescent psychiatric beds, primarily for the 16 and 17 year
age group, across the four HSE administrative areas. Dedicated child and
adolescent multidisciplinary teams will be provided for these additional
beds and training will be provided for staff in the identified units. In
addition, a further 12 beds will be provided at existing child
psychiatric units (6 in St Anne's, Galway and 6 in Warrenstown House,
Dublin) for the under 16 age group.
The Mental Health Commission acknowledges that the admission of children
to adult units is undesirable, however, in situations where there is no
available alternative, such admissions may be necessary. The Commission
has issued a code of practice relating to the admission of children
under the Mental Health Act 2001 to ensure that the best interests of
children are protected at all times.
In addition to the transitional arrangements outlined above, planning
for four 20-bed child and adolescent inpatient units in Dublin, Cork,
Galway and Limerick is underway. |
