Latest news with #MentalHealthBill
Euractiv
31 minutes ago
- Health
- Euractiv
Ireland's ‘compassionate' justice and mental health strategy aims to avoid prison return
The Irish government has published the second annual progress report of the High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction, highlighting a series of cross-departmental initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with mental health and addiction issues who encounter the criminal justice system. The report, released on 28 July, outlines developments between September 2023 and September 2024, including the national rollout of Mental Health First Aid training to An Garda Síochána (Ireland's police force), the launch of the Community Access Support Team (CAST) pilot in Limerick, and progress on a dual diagnosis service in Cork Prison. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill placed particular emphasis on the need for a compassionate, integrated response. 'The High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction recognised the importance of taking a compassionate, whole-person approach to supporting people with mental health and addiction challenges who come into contact with the criminal justice system,' she said. 'Many of the Taskforce's recommendations build on what's already in place, aiming to strengthen the connections between services. This joined-up approach is designed to offer more consistent, meaningful support to individuals navigating both the justice and health systems,' she added. Avoiding incarceration Carroll MacNeill also pointed to the health sector's progress in developing alternatives to incarceration. 'A particular focus has been on creating real, person-centred alternatives through Diversion initiatives, ensuring that care is better integrated and more responsive to the needs of this small but highly vulnerable group,' she noted. The Taskforce, a joint initiative between the Departments of Health and Justice, was established following the publication of its foundational report in 2022. Its Steering Committee includes representatives from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and An Garda Síochána. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan welcomed the report's publication, noting that it can help 'reduce the likelihood of future offending.' Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler highlighted the expansion of the Central Mental Hospital and the development of Crisis Resolution Teams as key achievements. She also referenced the Mental Health Bill, which concluded its passage through the Dáil on 9 July 2025. The new policing model An Garda Síochána has played a central role in implementing the Taskforce's recommendations, particularly through the CAST pilot in Limerick. The initiative, part of the broader 'Policing Service for the Future' strategy, is designed to support individuals experiencing situational trauma or mental health crises. A Garda spokesperson told Euractiv: 'The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland stated that societal-wide issues such as the mental health of individuals are not the responsibility of An Garda Síochána alone… [recommending] the establishment of multi-agency teams (Crisis Intervention Team) that would include Gardaí to respond to the needs of individuals with mental health issues.' The CAST project, a partnership between An Garda Síochána and HSE Mid-West Mental Health Services, exemplifies this inter-agency approach. It is currently being trialled in the Limerick Garda Division. The Gardaí have also embedded mental health awareness into their operational framework. Over 3,500 personnel have received Mental Health First Aid training under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Mental Health First Aid Ireland in June 2023. In line with the new Policing Model, Gardaí are equipped to respond to critical incidents involving mental health crises. 'There are trained Garda Negotiators, Operational Commanders in every Garda Region throughout the country,' the spokesperson said. 'In recent years, An Garda Síochána has put a significant emphasis on our role as the first line of defence of the human rights of all people we come into contact with.' Ireland's efforts to reform the intersection of mental health, addiction, and the criminal justice system are being significantly underpinned by European Union policy and funding, aligning national priorities with broader EU objectives on public health, social inclusion, and human rights. The strategic and financial support from Brussels has enabled Ireland to advance initiatives such as the High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction, which seeks to divert vulnerable individuals away from incarceration and toward integrated care pathways. Convergence with EU priorities Ireland's national mental health strategy, 'Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone', is closely aligned with EU-level frameworks, including the EU Health Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights. These frameworks advocate for universal access to quality healthcare, with mental health increasingly recognised as a core component of public health policy. Ireland has also tapped into several EU funding streams to support its reform agenda. These include: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), EU4Health Programme: and the Justice Programme. These funds are being used to scale up initiatives such as the Community Access Support Team (CAST) pilot in Limerick and the national rollout of mental health training for Gardaí. As Ireland continues to embed a more humane and coordinated approach to mental health within its justice system, EU policy and funding remain critical enablers. They are reinforcing the country's commitment to reform while anchoring it within a broader European vision of inclusive, rights-based public health at a time of rising drug use in Ireland and a mental health crisis, particularly amongst young people. By Brian Maguire
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Advocates call for 'key changes' to Mental Health Bill to protect the 'rights and dignity' of patients
It is not too late to make changes to the Mental Health Bill and offer better dignity to people with mental illnesses, advocates and legal experts have urged. The bill has now concluded final stages in the Dáil and goes before the Seanad in the autumn. Minister of state for mental health Mary Butler described the bill as the 'most comprehensive overhaul of mental health laws in 20 years'. She said it provided for the regulation of community mental health services — including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services — by the Mental Health Commission among other reforms. Human rights lawyer and lecturer in international disability law at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy in Galway, Janos Fiala-Butora, is one of many raising concerns. A key issue is the criteria for involuntary admission to psychiatric units, he said. 'Psychiatric patients differ from other patients in one important way. If other patients reject the treatment offered, doctors cannot enforce it on them against their will. They have to offer alternatives and make an effort to convince them,' he said. They do not have to do that in the field of mental health, because involuntary treatment is readily available. That is a huge power, which must be wielded responsibly. He described the debate on the bill in recent months as 'quite disappointing' in an article for the online journal Mad in Ireland. Having represented dozens of patients and interviewed hundreds, he said abolishing involuntary treatment was preferable, but acknowledged the lack of alternatives for patients in crisis. He argued it was 'unfair to doctors' to expect them to police this approach. 'Pretending that all psychiatric patients who are rejecting treatment are doing so because they lack capacity will not get us closer to discussing what the proper contours of that power should be,' he cautioned. Social Democrat TD and psychologist Liam Quaide raised concerns about how the bill was rushed through the Dáil, with many last-minute amendments. He warned rejection of amendments on a right to an independent advocate or an independent complaints mechanism was worrying for patients. An amendment to bring in a reference to chemical restraints was also rejected. 'This is a deeply troubling omission as the practice of administering powerful, temporarily disabling sedatives is common in psychiatric settings [and] has serious implications for bodily autonomy and personal liberty,' he said. He also highlighted 'significant changes' to provisions around involuntary treatment. Many of these concerns were echoed by Mental Health Reform, which set out recommendations on seven issues. It also noted limited Dáil scrutiny with concern. It warned of 'particularly troubling' consequences from changes, including widened criteria for involuntary treatment and allowing for involuntary treatment to begin without a capacity assessment. A doubling of time allowed for involuntary treatment from 21 to 42 days was introduced, it said, 'at a late stage'. Independent advocacy and complaints are 'essential to uphold the rights and dignity' of people in vulnerable situations and should be included, it said. It welcomed a reduction in time to review the bill from 10 to five years. Overall, however, it urged that "there is still an opportunity to introduce key changes that would significantly strengthen the bill".
ITV News
12-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Family of autistic man who died after 10 days in mental health detention call for change
ITV News Anglia's Katie Ridley reports on Declan Morrison's family's call for change after his death. The family of an autistic man who died after being kept in a mental health detention suite for 10 days have called for changes to how people with learning disabilities are treated in the mental health system. An inquest which concluded in October last year found that Declan Morrison, 26, died from "catastrophic" injuries after banging his head repeatedly against a wall in the detention suite which should only have been used for 48 hours. Mr Morrison, from Cambourne near Cambridge, was non-verbal and required 24-hour care for his autism, ADHD, severe learning disabilities and bipolar disorder. He had lived in private placements sourced by Cambridgeshire County Council, but by the end of 2021 his placement was unable to meet his needs and the council could not find anywhere suitable for him to go. In March 2022, Mr Morrison was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, then transferred to a suite at Fulbourn Hospital where he was kept for 10 days. His mother, Samantha Morrison, told ITV News Anglia: "He was lost, he was alone, he was left, he was frightened, he was under-stimulated. And he was misunderstood. "The biggest thing is that he was alone." A Prevention of Future Deaths report issued by the coroner after his inquest stated the suite was not suitable for someone with Mr Morrison's needs. His family wants to stop people with learning disabilities being detained in these spaces - and they now have the support of their local MP, Ian Sollom. The Liberal Democrat MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire told ITV News Anglia: "There's over 2,000 people who are either autistic or have learning disabilities who are currently detained under the Mental Health Act, and that's just far too many, and for far too long as well." Tim Nicholls, policy director at the National autistic Society, said that while autism is not a mental health condition, many autistic people develop mental health problems and can get into crisis. He added: "What is absolutely vital is that the mental health system is better equipped with the right environments and staff training to really support people." The Department for Health and Social Care said the number of people with learning disabilities in mental health hospitals is "unacceptable". It told ITV News Anglia: "Our proposed reforms in the Mental Health Bill will limit the scope to detain people with a learning disability and autistic people, ensuring their needs are met in the community."
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Second hospital investigated for financial irregularities in national waiting list fund
The national fund covering hospital waiting list initiatives is now investigating a second hospital for "potential financial irregularities" and has asked all hospitals to report on their use of this money. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has faced scrutiny since an unpublished report revealed that extra clinics held on weekends at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) did not meet the required criteria. In fact, the report raised concerns that some children waited longer than they would have through standard care due to how the funding was used in this case. The NTPF paused funding for this insourcing work — where a hospital pays a sister facility in its group to treat patients — at CHI. On Tuesday, they said they are now to 'recommence insourcing work, effective immediately, with CHI after a review of the assurances given by CHI in relation to its ongoing compliance with existing NTPF protocols and procedures.' However, in the first sign that these issues extend to other hospitals, as opposition politicians recently warned, the NTPF confirmed that another site is now under investigation. 'The NTPF confirms it has also alerted the Department of Health and HSE about potential financial irregularities in relation to NTPF-funded insourcing work at another public hospital. The NTPF has suspended all insourcing work with that hospital since 11th April,' a spokesman said. 'The NTPF immediately informed the Department and HSE of these concerns and is working with them in relation to the ongoing review. The matter has been referred to the HSE's Internal Audit team. The NTPF is restricted from making further comment at this stage.' A spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about when the HSE and Minister for Health were informed of the issue. The fund has written to all hospitals receiving insourcing funding, requesting confirmation that the work complies with required guidelines. 'A strict deadline of next Monday, June 16th has been given for the completion of these replies and the NTPF will report on this to the Department and the HSE,' the spokesman said. Chief Executive Fiona Brady said the NTPF is 'deeply concerned' that proper procedures were not followed. 'The NTPF will now increase governance and oversight across its insourcing work with public hospitals, who up to now have been responsible for this internal governance,' a spokesman said. They have shared this plan with the HSE and the Department of Health. Read More Mental Health Bill may delay treatment for teenagers, Oireachtas committee hears
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Mental Health Bill may delay treatment for teenagers, Oireachtas committee hears
It is unclear whether the Mental Health Bill will help teenagers in crisis, including those in Kerry, with some sections likely to cause delays rather than improvements, the Oireachtas Health Committee heard on Wednesday. Shortages of specially trained authorised personnel to assist patients in crisis were also discussed by An Garda Síochána, in light of a new project in Limerick. This was the committee's first sitting since the November election, and their first opportunity to scrutinise a bill that could be in place for the next 25 years. Committee chair Pádraig Rice expressed his 'frustration' with the timing. Normally, there would be a gap between the committee and Dáil discussions, but this Bill will go before the Dáil just hours later. The Government tabled 298 amendments on Tuesday afternoon. 'I don't think it's in line with best practice and I don't think it's the way to deal with a Bill of this scale,' he warned. Speakers raised concerns about gaps in crisis care for teenagers aged 16 to 18. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) supports patients up to 18, but paediatric emergency departments stop at 16. Committee chair Pádraig Rice expressed his 'frustration' with the timing. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire Irish Medical Organisation Consultant Committee Chair Dr Matthew Sadlier described a case where a 17-year-old spent a week in an emergency department. 'We couldn't admit them to the acute adult unit because we were too scared we going to get given out to and told we were torturing somebody and abusing their human rights,' he said. ' There was no bed available in the child unit, now where was the most suitable place for that child, a 17-year-old, to be?'. Answering questions about South Kerry Camhs, the focus of critical reports including the Maskey review, he said the Bill does not address staffing gaps that led to these problems. Recruiting for isolated rural services in Kerry or Donegal is more difficult than in cities, so discussions with staff and employers must come first, he explained. The Mental Health Commission welcomed the expansion of its remit in some areas under the Bill but supported calls from two Garda speakers for more attention to the authorised persons issue. Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said a pilot programme in Limerick, run jointly by Gardaí and the HSE, has helped 'over 40' people avoid arrest or detention by offering support services. None of them needed to go to the Limerick ED. However, she raised serious concerns that the Bill will worsen national shortages of trained staff. 'It is the experience of our CAST team that there is a need for a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service to support delivery in this area,' she said. She added: 'We further contend that only allowing Authorised Officers to make an application, could add to the already adversarial and structured process – and potentially cause significant delays to a person receiving treatment.' Dr Brendan Kelly, also of the IMO, warned of ongoing concern that the criteria for involuntary admission and treatment differ. This could result in someone being admitted but not receiving treatment, he explained. Mental Health Reform interim CEO Philip Watt said: 'The key thing really is definition, so no matter what term is used there has to be clarity on the definitions'. There are approximately 2,000 involuntary admissions each year in Ireland.
