Call for better mental health resources in region
CLLR Bronagh McAree (SF) voiced dissatisfaction at the October meeting of Monaghan County Council with a response from the HSE to her recent motion asking why Monaghan and Cavan haven’t the same level of emergency mental health resources as other centres in the region.
In her letter, the HSE’s Integrated Service Lead at Cavan, Su-Zann O’Callaghan, pointed out that people experiencing a mental health crisis can attend Cavan General Hospital’s Emergency Department 24 hours a day and seven days a week, where there is access to acute psychiatric assessment.
Ms O’Callaghan also referred to the availability of a liaison team from 9am-5pm, five days per week, and the provision of out-of-hours psychiatry cover seven days per week.
'In addition,' she wrote, 'within Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Services, two home-based treatment teams deliver a rapid crisis response in the community, offering an alternative to hospital admission for mental health crisis and reducing crisis presentation to ED by managing cases locally.'
Ms O’Callaghan also pointed out that GPs can make a direct referral to a suicide community assessment nurse where a patient is expressing suicidal thoughts.
Cllr McAree said the correspondence didn’t answer her question.
She proposed that the Council write back to the HSE seeking a direct comparison between services in the Cavan Monaghan Hospital Group and Sligo University Hospital, and a clear timeframe for bringing services locally up to the same standard as Sligo.
“Stating that the ED is open 24 hours a day doesn’t mean that a dedicated mental health support service is there 24 hours a day,” Cllr McAree stated.
“A person experiencing suicidal thoughts needs urgent assessment in a safe and private environment. Patients in crisis deserve more than assurances from the HSE.”
Her proposal was backed by Cllr Peter Conlon (FG), who said he had also seconded the original motion.
Cllr McAree also voiced support for a resolution before the meeting from Carlow County Council requesting Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and the HSE to urgently review and reform the current admission policy for patients presenting at EDs with suicidal ideation or acute mental health distress.