Faculty of Learning Disability Psychiatry

About the Faculty

The Faculty represents the interests of those psychiatrists working with people with learning disabilities. Members of the Faculty aim to provide a quality mental health service to Irish people with a learning disability. The Faculty has two elected Officers – Dr Philip Dodd, Chair and Dr Fionnuala Kelly, Honorary Secretary. Both Officers will serve a 2 year term until April 2008.

Learning Disability Executive Committee

The Executive Committee looks after the day to day business of the Faculty and normally meets every 8 – 10 weeks. Current members are:
Dr Philip Dodd – Chair
Dr Fionnuala Kelly – Honorary Secretary
Dr Verena Keane
Dr Mary Kelly
Dr Pat MacCarthy – Regional Representative
Dr Mark Roe
Dr Mary Staines
Dr Vivienne Whelan
Dr Oonagh Bradley
Dr Peter Leonard

Current Activities of the Faculty

1. The Faculty liaises with external bodies such as the National Disability Authority, the Mental Health Commission or the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies on matters relating to Learning Disability Psychiatry.

2. The Faculty has representatives on a number of Irish College of Psychiatrists (ICPsych) committees such as:

Forensic Faculty Executive Committee
Trainee Section Committee
Law Sub-Committee
CPD Sub-Committee
Public Education Sub-Committee
ICPsych Management Committee
ICPsych Executive Committee
The Chair of the Faculty is also a member of the RCPsych Learning Disability Faculty.

3. The Faculty has responded to a number of publications, reports and statements e.g.

News / Of Interest

The following items may be of interest to members of the Faculty:
The Faculty have produced a policy document entitled “A Proposed Model of Service for the Delivery of a Mental Health Service to People with Intellectual Disability”. This document was formally launched on the 6th July 2004 by Mr. Tim O'Malley, Minister of State at the Department of Health & Children. The document is available from the Administration Office, Irish College of Psychiatrists at a cost of €15 per copy. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the document here.

CR115 – Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Adults with a Mild Learning Disability

CR116 – Psychotherapy and Learning Disability

From time to time, information in relation to job vacancies and learning disability psychiatry posts can be found on the following websites: Comhairle na nOspideal, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the Local Appointments Commission.

Forthcoming Meetings

ICPsych Learning Disability Faculty Executive Committee
Tuesday, 1 May 2007 (11:15 at the ICPsych offices in Dublin)
Further dates to be posted here when available.

ICPsych Learning Disability Faculty Meeting
Friday, 30 March 2007 at the ICPsych Spring Meeting in Galway.

ICPsych Spring Meeting
Thursday 29 and Friday 30 March 2007, Galway Bay Hotel, Galway

RCPsych Faculty of Learning Disability Psychiatry

Interesting Links

ASPIRE – Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland
Department of Health and Children
IASSID - The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities
Learning About Intellectual Disabilities and Health - Collaboration between the Down's Syndrome Association and the Dept. of Mental Health at St. George's Hospital Medical School, London
Mental Health Commission
National Autistic Society, UK
NAMHI – National Association of Mentally Handicapped in Ireland
NDA – National Disability Authority
National Federation of Voluntary Bodies

Feedback
If you have any feedback or comments regarding this page please submit them to info@irishpsychiatry.ie (ICPsych administrative office) us know if there is something missing or if there is anything you would wish to see included on this page.