Menu
02/02/2017
Sinn Féin Backs Call For Round The Clock Crisis Intervention Services
Sinn Féin has backed a call by campaign group Uplift for 24/7 crisis intervention services within the Mental Health sector.
Sinn Féin Mental Health spokesperson Mary Lou McDonald TD called on the Government to put the services in place after Uplift delivered a petition signed by nearly 12,000 members of the public.
Deputy McDonald said: "24/7 services are an essential part of ensuring that people in mental health distress get the care they need whenever that may be. At present, many services community services only operate until the evening time and not at all Saturdays and Sundays. Mental health doesn't operate on office hours and our services must reflect this.
"Sinn Féin brought a motion to the Dáil last year demanding a timeline for delivery of 7 day and, ultimately, 24 hour services. Unfortunately, Fine Gael opposed it and Fianna Fáil allowed it to be defeated. Given the paltry increase to the mental health budget announced in November, well below what was promised during the election, it is now past time for the Government to revisit their approach to mental health and begin tackling the serious problems that exist.
"The lack of these services is costing lives, people who are very vulnerable are afraid to seek care out of hours, those who do are forced to enter the inappropriate and too often chaotic environment of A&Es. This at best has a chilling effect on those who need support; at its most tragic, it has resulted in people taking their lives, isolated and desperate.
"I support the call from the petition collected by Uplift and will work to see that this issue is finally addressed."
(MH/CD)
Sinn Féin Mental Health spokesperson Mary Lou McDonald TD called on the Government to put the services in place after Uplift delivered a petition signed by nearly 12,000 members of the public.
Deputy McDonald said: "24/7 services are an essential part of ensuring that people in mental health distress get the care they need whenever that may be. At present, many services community services only operate until the evening time and not at all Saturdays and Sundays. Mental health doesn't operate on office hours and our services must reflect this.
"Sinn Féin brought a motion to the Dáil last year demanding a timeline for delivery of 7 day and, ultimately, 24 hour services. Unfortunately, Fine Gael opposed it and Fianna Fáil allowed it to be defeated. Given the paltry increase to the mental health budget announced in November, well below what was promised during the election, it is now past time for the Government to revisit their approach to mental health and begin tackling the serious problems that exist.
"The lack of these services is costing lives, people who are very vulnerable are afraid to seek care out of hours, those who do are forced to enter the inappropriate and too often chaotic environment of A&Es. This at best has a chilling effect on those who need support; at its most tragic, it has resulted in people taking their lives, isolated and desperate.
"I support the call from the petition collected by Uplift and will work to see that this issue is finally addressed."
(MH/CD)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 October 2013
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
09 August 2018
2,700 Children Waiting To Access Mental Health Services
Some 2,700 children are waiting to be seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services amid a recruitment and retention crisis in the sector. Figures from the HSE were released to Sinn Féin Health spokesperson, Louise O'Reilly, and reveal that there is currently 13 vacant consultant posts and a shortage of psychiatric nurses.
2,700 Children Waiting To Access Mental Health Services
Some 2,700 children are waiting to be seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services amid a recruitment and retention crisis in the sector. Figures from the HSE were released to Sinn Féin Health spokesperson, Louise O'Reilly, and reveal that there is currently 13 vacant consultant posts and a shortage of psychiatric nurses.
15 June 2016
SIPTU To Meet HSE Management Over Crisis In Nursing Services
SIPTU representatives are to meet with the management of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to discuss the recruitment and retention crisis within mental health nursing services. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: "Nurse staffing levels within the public health system were reduced by more than 5000 between 2009 and 2014.
SIPTU To Meet HSE Management Over Crisis In Nursing Services
SIPTU representatives are to meet with the management of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to discuss the recruitment and retention crisis within mental health nursing services. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: "Nurse staffing levels within the public health system were reduced by more than 5000 between 2009 and 2014.
20 November 2015
Suicide Prevention Services 'Chronically Underfunded' - SF
Suicide prevention services are chronically underfunded, according to Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. "According to the most recent statistics available for suicide in this state, 459 persons – 368 males and 91 females – took their own lives in 2014.
Suicide Prevention Services 'Chronically Underfunded' - SF
Suicide prevention services are chronically underfunded, according to Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. "According to the most recent statistics available for suicide in this state, 459 persons – 368 males and 91 females – took their own lives in 2014.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
