Latest news with #MaryButler
The Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Minister says we need faster responses for people presenting to ED with mental health crisis
'WE NEED FASTER and better coordinated responses' for people when they present to emergency departments with a mental health crisis, according to Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler who yesterday launched the new national model of care for 'Consultation Liaison Psychiatry services' in Irish hospitals. Liaison psychiatrists provides specialist mental health input in emergency departments and general hospital wards when someone presents with a mental health crisis. While it is understood to play a critical role in supporting people who present with eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation, there have been widespread criticisms this year of serious gaps of services across the country. Criticisms of current care of patients The Mental Health Commission published a report last month warning of substantial delays, especially for 'out-of-hours' mental health assessments. It found that around 51,000 people attend emergency departments and medical wards in Ireland each year with a first-time acute mental health issue. The report found that people with mental health presentations have to 'compete for attention in the crowded emergency department space'. The report came after the brother of a man who died by suicide the same day he presented himself to an emergency department described the government's new mental health implementation plan as a 'failure' . Joe's brother, Adam Loughnane (34) died by suicide in February – earlier in the day he had presented himself to hospital expressing suicidal ideation. Joe Loughnane told The Journal that he believes there should be a separate general admission unit for those experiencing a mental health emergency and that they shouldn't have to go through emergency departments at all. Advertisement One of the government's priorities is providing appropriate environments in all emergency departments for people who require a mental health assessment. Eight hospitals currently lack a mental health assessment room and within emergency departments that are open 24/7, some 30% do not comply with current standards. 'Same urgency as those presenting with physical illness' Speaking at the launch yesterday, Minister Butler said the launch of the new model of care is an important milestone in the national mental health reform journey. 'It ensures people who need mental health support while in hospital are treated with the same urgency, dignity and clinical excellence as those presenting with physical illness. It is a practical and meaningful expression of the health service's commitment to integrated person-centred care in line with the goals of our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision,' she said. She said the liaison psychiatry staff provide an essential service to people who have complex and often emergency care needs, working without waiting lists and without barriers to serve the patients who need them. To develop the model of care for liaison psychiatry, a national scoping exercise was undertaken to map out the liaison mental health services available across Ireland. While the findings demonstrated 'significant provision and resourcing across sites' the department said it also highlighted 'key gaps in relation to staffing, administration support, and data infrastructure' and underlined the need for a national, standardised model. The minister said a phased implementation approach will now be developed by the HSE, aligned with service readiness and workforce planning, to support a sustainable and coordinated roll-out of the model of care 'These services represent some of the busiest and most high-risk areas within mental health, and I am currently working hard to develop real alternatives to emergency departments for people in mental health crisis. 'However, we know that the EDs will always have some level of mental health presentations, and we need faster and better coordinated responses for people when they do present. This model of care is a key part of our drive to improve the ED experience for people presenting with a mental health crisis,' she said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowner blindsided after insurance company issues sudden rate hike with no warning: 'I was surprised by the amount'
Homeowners across the country are seeing insurance rates rise, and the reason is out of their control. Insurance rates are on the rise, and the changing climate is to blame. As extreme weather events become more frequent or more intense (and sometimes both), insurance rates are skyrocketing to account for the growing risk. Last year, Nebraska and other surrounding states saw several tornadoes resulting in billions of dollars in damage. This year, residents in Omaha are still paying the price — their home insurance rates are rising hundreds of dollars. "I wasn't surprised that there was an increase. I was surprised by the amount of the increase," North Omaha resident Mary Butler told KETV. On average, Nebraska residents are paying anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 annually, per Bankrate data. Insurance rates are rapidly becoming unsustainable. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the "average homeowners insurance premiums per policy increased 8.7 percent faster than the rate of inflation in 2018-2022." Homeowners are presented with a difficult choice: bank-breaking insurance premiums or no disaster coverage. Some may not even have a choice — homeowners in high-risk regions can be dropped from their insurance plans without warning. Thousands of Californians were dropped from their policies after the wildfires, and North Carolinians lost coverage following Hurricane Helene. As the effects of the changing climate are felt throughout the country, more and more homeowners are at risk of losing their coverage. Some states are trying to introduce laws that will prevent insurers from canceling policies during times of catastrophe, like wildfires and floods. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you're struggling to afford your policy payment, know your options — shop around for insurance policies to find the most protection at the lowest cost. You can also invest in home upgrades to help protect your home from extreme weather events. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Journal
5 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Minister proposes changes to Ireland's new mental health law to deal with involuntary patients
THE MUCH DELAYED Mental Health Bill, which is set to overhaul Ireland's mental health laws, will see 200 amendments to it proposed by government today. The long-awaited legislation , which has suffered protracted delays for years, aims tp strengthen regulation around people consenting to the type of treatment they receive. It will also regulate all community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) which currently fall outside the scope of regulation set out under the 2001 Mental Health Act. It is close to ten years since an expert group tasked with reviewing the Mental Health Act 2001 recommended 165 changes to the law, but the pace of the new legislation has been painfully slow. Promises were made that the legislation would be passed prior to the election, however, with the bill fell with the dissolution of the last Dáil. It was later restored to the legislative agenda by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler. Minister Butler and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will today propose over 200 amendments at Committee Stage with aims to progress the bill in the coming weeks. Advertisement Involuntary patients in mental health facilities The bill provides for an updated involuntary admission and detention process for people with severe mental health difficulties, including a revised set of criteria for admission. It also reforms the approach to consent to treatment for involuntarily admitted people. The most significant amendments proposed to Cabinet for approval today relate to adults who are involuntarily admitted to an acute mental health unit and lack capacity to consent to treatment. The Journal has reported extensively on the rights of voluntary and involuntary patients in mental health facilities and how the laws need reform. The proposed new mental health law, as published but yet to be passed all stages of the Oireachtas, permits treatment for involuntary patients who lack capacity and do not have a substitute decision arrangement in place. The draft bill proposes retaining the tribunal or a review board when it comes to such decisions, but it also requires a Circuit Court order for treatment decisions where a patient lacks capacity. The proposed amendments being brought to Cabinet seek to extend the permissible treatment period for a further 21 days (up to a maximum of 42) where it is approved by a second consultant psychiatrist, or while awaiting the appointment of a substitute decision-making arrangement by a court, provided the person continues to meet the criteria for involuntary admission and continues to lack capacity. The Medical Independent reported this month that consultant psychiatrists raised concerns that introducing such a structure could also lead to delays in treatment for patients. Related Reads Mental illness: How do schizophrenia and psychosis present, and how can we best treat them? Govt signs off on largest overhaul of Ireland's mental health law after years of delays Overhaul of mental health law which 'deprives people of liberty' may not happen before election The amendments also propose to broaden the criteria for the administration of treatment during such periods beyond risk to self and others to include criteria based on the need for treatment. The minister for mental health believes the amendments seek to strike an appropriate balance between respecting the autonomy of the individual while ensuring timely access to care and treatment where necessary. Butler is understood to be confident the amendments will make the bill stronger, easier to implement and better protect and vindicate the rights of people accessing treatment. CAMHS regulations The new legislation also deals with CAMHS – an issue that has caused much controversy in recent years, particularly around the issue of waiting lists. While progressing with the legislation, Minister Butler has formally written to the Mental Health Commission to request the Commission begin the development of new standards to regulate CAMHS in preparation for the commencement of the legislation. Stronger safeguards for people accessing inpatient treatment also forms part of the legislation, which also includes provisions to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to consent to or refuse mental health treatment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Waterford Airport ‘left out once again' as nearly €8m in regional airport funding announced
Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien, announced the allocation of almost €8m in exchequer funding to regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, on Tuesday, May 20. The announcement sees a total of €7.823m going to Ireland West, Kerry, and Donegal airports, but none for Waterford Airport, which has seen its runway extension project stalled in recent years. William Bolster, director and board member of Waterford Airport, told the Irish Independent that they welcome all investment to infrastructural projects to the regions and in particular aviation, but 'unfortunately Waterford falls outside the criteria on the Regional Airports Programme due to the absence of a commercial carrier in place. 'Waterford Airport and the board are working very closely with Minister O'Brien and the Department to achieve the goal to have capital funding committed to allow a Jet Runway for the southeast region, we hope to have speedy conclusion to our discussion in the near future,' said Mr Bolster. SF Waterford TD Conor McGuinness sharply criticised the Government's latest decision to exclude Waterford Airport from regional airport funding allocations, describing it as a 'calculated and ongoing neglect of Waterford and the south east', and has called on Government Ministers John Cummins and Mary Butler to 'stop covering for this blatant disregard' and 'stand up for their county'. 'This announcement saw nearly €8 million allocated to regional airports in the west and south west, while Waterford was left out once again, despite having planning permission, private investment, and local authority co-funding in place for the long-awaited €12 million runway extension,' said Deputy McGuinness. 'Let's call this what it is - calculated neglect. Waterford Airport is ready to go. The project is costed, planned, and regionally backed. The missing piece is Government commitment. 'Instead, we see millions flowing to other airports while Waterford is passed over again. The runway extension would restore scheduled services and unlock real economic growth across the south east but, the Government continues to block it.' Deputy McGuinness said the silence from Waterford's Government TDs is no longer tenable. 'Minister Mary Butler and Minister John Cummins need to stop providing political cover for this ongoing snub. It's not enough to issue soft statements after the fact - they're part of the Government making these decisions. If they won't fight for Waterford, who will?' 'David Cullinane and I have been campaigning relentlessly to secure this funding. Last week we jointly raised the issue again in the Dáil. The Minister's excuses have run out. This is not a case of due process – it's a failure of political will, and it's costing Waterford jobs, investment and connectivity.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Deputy McGuiness added, 'Government inaction is holding Waterford back. Cummins and Butler must now call a halt to this calculated neglect, and demand that Waterford gets its fair share.' Speaking before the announcement, former independent TD for Waterford and now social advocate, Matt Shanahan, said the 'bludgeoned' aspirations of 2011 and 2017 Government programme promises to develop Waterford Airport can be 'clearly seen'. The Government 'has no desire to fund aviation activity in the South East region,' said Mr Shanahan. 'Opposition TDs will grandstand in press, social media and in the Dáil, but no way will their party leadership allow them bring a motion to the floor of the house on the issue to actually force serious debate. 'When people in Waterford ask why are we continuously denied any meaningful investment to create regional economic advantage, the answer has been the same for two decades - whichever party reps you follow, government or opposition, their party political interests always come before your economic needs. And their political reps' loyalty is always to the party, not you the people. 'Vested interests elsewhere have no interest in promoting Waterford or south east economies simply because they fear negative impact to their own - their political strength and the blind allegiance of their party reps means nothing changes in our favour. 'Fairness for Waterford was mentioned endlessly in every electoral campaign soundbite and leaflet in 2024 - once the election was done, just like before, both went in the bin. 'The phrase 'fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me' has been around since 1651 - it's obvious Waterford needs to pay more attention to history rather than listening to repeated empty political rhetoric. Mr Shanahan added, 'For the next four plus years while people in Waterford continue to decry our 'Oliver Twist' existence, the political parties will continue to smile in joined understanding of the old maxim - you broke it, you own it.'
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Nearly 90% of people calling Samaritans have suffered mental health challenges
Almost nine out of 10 (88%) people who called Samaritans experienced mental health challenges, and were reaching out when other services were not available, the charity has said. Releasing a report on its work last year, Samaritans said it continued to act as a lifeline for many struggling to cope as it answered 50 calls an hour in 2024. Its executive director Sarah O'Toole said its vision is that fewer people die by suicide and its volunteers create a safe space for 'human connection that can often be life saving'. 'In the quiet moments of human struggle, a listening ear can be the difference between despair and hope,' she said. It said it responds to 1,200 contacts daily, which come via calls, emails, face-to-face and prison support. Often people can raise multiple issues they are having in one conversation. A survey of callers, conducted by University College Cork, found that over half (50.1%) of people called with a mental health concern while a similar proportion (48.4%) had problems with their family or in relationships. Over one third of people (37.2%) rang with suicidal thoughts while similar numbers called due to a mental health crisis (37%) or loneliness (34.7%). Sarah O'Toole: 'In the quiet moments of human struggle, a listening ear can be the difference between despair and hope.' The report added: 'More than one-third (37.4%) have experienced abuse in their lives, while a similar number (33.1%) are living with chronic physical ailments that compound their emotional distress.' Data from Samaritans showed that emotional support calls lasted an average of 28 minutes while it had 6,800 calls diverted to its service from five other helplines when they are closed. The vast majority of those who reached out reported that the service provided a safe space for them, that they were genuinely listened to, and felt supported. The report delves into personal testimonies of those who had reached out, including one caller who said they 'probably wouldn't be standing here today only for them'. Another said: "It was literally like a hand came out and dragged me back… It was phenomenal, really phenomenal." The research also identified a group of callers who sometimes required additional supports within the service. It said that callers discussing financial difficulties, bullying/harassment situations, or self-harm reported slightly lower satisfaction rates. In terms of its recommendations going forward, it called on the Government to prioritise the creation of a National Loneliness Strategy along with mechanisms to assess its impact. Furthermore, it called for big tech firms to ensure the wellbeing of content moderators through transparent reporting and comprehensive mental health support standards, including for contractors. Minister for mental health Mary Butler paid tribute to Samaritans and its volunteers in response to this data. She added that the Department of Health is working with stakeholders including Samaritans to develop the next policy to reduce suicide in Ireland and she expects to bring it to Government for approval towards the end of this year.
