| “One in four Irish people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. This fact is often quoted but to date the consequences, the impact and the seriousness of this fact have gone unnoticed and ignored by the Government stated Seymour Crawford Fine Gael T.D. for Cavan/Monaghan. “The recent downturn in the economy is placing increased pressure on already overstretched mental health services. Unemployment and insecure employment, the threat to or the loss of one’s home and difficulties in accessing desperately needed credit are placing a heavy psychological burden on individuals and families across the country. Now, more than ever, we need a mental health service that works. “Mental illness is not only damaging to the sufferer, their family and community, it has an impact on the economy. In 2008, the Mental Health Commission published a report which estimated the direct annual cost of mental health issues at a staggering €3 billion in 2006. This is the cost to the taxpayer of decades of Government neglect. “Although mental health is central to our well being, the treatment of mental illness and the promotion of good mental health do not receive the same attention and investment as physical illness. “In January 2006, the Government adopted A Vision for Change as the basis for the development of mental health services in Ireland. This policy framework was greeted by near universal approval as the best model for a modern, comprehensive, world-class service. However, four years since its announcement, the Government has been heavily criticised for the lack of progress in implementing A Vision for Change. “The reality is that: • €25 million was diverted away from the mental health Budget • Suicide rates are on the increase with a 25% increase between 2008 and 2009 • Spending on mental healthcare has fallen from 11.2% of the Budget in 1991 to 5.3% in 2010 • 2009 was the first year the HSE had an implementation plan for A Vision for Change even though the policy was published in 2006 • The HSE Assistant National Director for Mental Health was only appointed in 2009 • The recently published Independent Monitoring Group Report could not accurately report the number of Mental Health Teams, or provide information on vacant posts within teams, because it couldn’t get the information from the HSE. How are we supposed to know what progress has been made to date? Cont/……………. • The moratorium on recruitment has had a devastating impact. Over 700 staff left mental healthcare services in 2009, only 65 staff were replaced. • The Mental Health Commission has ordered that three hospitals, St Brendan’s in Grangegorman, St Ita’s in Portrane and St Senan’s in Enniscorthy, cease admitting new acute patients from later this year due to ‘inhumane conditions’ and of course we all know what is happening to St. Davnets in Monaghan with patients being transferred to the basement in Cavan General Hospital. “The Government claims to prioritise mental health but successive Independent Monitoring Group Reports, and other reports, have shown that little progress has been made on implementation of A Vision for Change. “Through the implementation of FairCare, Fine Gael will give mental health the priority it deserves concluded Deputy Crawford |
Monday, 20 September 2010 18:09