Joint Letter from Irish College of Psychiatrists and
Irish Psychiatric Association to Minister Harney on Mental Health
Services
In a joint letter to Minister Harney on the 11th
of February 2005, from Dr Kate Ganter of the Irish College of
Psychiatrists and Dr Eamon Moloney of the IPA, an urgent request
was made to the Minister to meet psychiatrists, ‘to discuss
our concerns regarding future delivery of Mental Health Services’.
‘We have previously requested an opportunity to discuss issues
with your self and with the Health Services Executive, but it
has not happened to date’- the letter
went on to say.
“Both organisations, the Irish College of Psychiatrists and
the Irish Psychiatric Association, have written to you previously
regarding our concerns at proposals for the Mental Health Services
being managed by the directorate of Primary, Community and Continuing
Care.We are aware of wide ranging views on this
subject, but restate our sincere position that this may prove
an impediment to the long term development and improvement of
Mental Health Services in Ireland”.
“We are convinced that the best model for the delivery of Mental
Health Services is through a single Mental Health Directorate.
Our experience is that when Mental Health Services are competing
with other health services patients are actively disadvantaged.There is wide evidence of the negative impact borne primarily
by this marginalised, stigmatised and overlooked patient group”.
“We advise that for the service to function effectively and
efficiently it must be managed under one Directorate, otherwise
there will be fragmentation of services which is what we have
been striving to reduce and eliminate”.
The correspondence concluded by outlining that, “The structures
in the PCCC are not compatible with the delivery of a specialist
mental health service.Skills
will not be maintained, professional standards will drop, and
accountability and quality even harder to effect.We jointly suggest this is contrary to the public interest
and requires your renewed consideration and attention”
Irish College of Psychiatrists, 121 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin
2, Rep. of Ireland. Tel: +353 1 402 2346 Fax: +353 1 402 2344 email: icpsych@eircom.net
