Press Releases and Media 2003 - 2015
You can go directly to a specific year by clicking on the links below:
2015
Mental Health Commission publishes 2014 Annual Report Mental health services regulatory compliance has risen steadily over the years but have remained static and appear to have plateaued, according to the Mental Health Commission which published its 2014 Annual Report and Report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services today... Press Release Date: 12 June 2015 |
2014
The Use of ECT and Seclusion declines for the fifth year in a row The use of ECT and Seclusion in the country's inpatient mental health services has declined for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Mental Health Commission which published 2012 data on ECT and Seclusion today. The administering of ECT to patients who are unable or unwilling to give consent to treatment also declined for the fifth year in a row. Physical restraint remains relatively static with a decrease of nine episodes in 2012 when compared with cases reported in 2011... Press Release Date: 12 March 2014 |
2013
Mental Health Commission highlights the need for investment in specialist services for older people Today is World Mental Health Day 2013 and the theme is "Mental Health and Older adults" Thursday 10th October 2013: More focus is required on investing and developing specialist mental health services for older people according to the Mental Health Commission. In a statement to mark World Mental Health Day (today, 10th October), the Chairman of the Mental Health Commission John Saunders said, "There have been many developments in the general areas of mental health service provision, particularly for children & adolescents and adults (18 - 65), however specialist services for older people need more attention..." Press Release date: 10 October 2013 |
New Memorandum of Understanding between HIQA and Mental Health Commission Monday 23 September 2013: The Health Information and Quality Authority and the Mental Health Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on working together in relation to the regulation of health, social care and mental health services in Ireland. The new MOU aims to promote collaboration in areas of joint strategic and operational interest, facilitate cooperation on the referral of concerns, which may fall under the remit of the other organisation and enhance formal communication and information sharing activities for the benefit of patients and other people using these services... Press Release Date: 23 September 2013 |
Mental Health Commission publishes 2012 Annual Report "Failure to fill approved posts causing some slippage in standards" The Mental Health Commission exercised its powers forcefully to improve standards of care for service users in 2012, but is today warning that services could deteriorate unless promised community mental health posts are filled during 2013.... Press Release Date: 12 June 2013 |
2012
Steady decline in the use of Electro-convulsive Therapy Thursday 23rd February 2012. There has been a decline in the use of Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) from 2008 to 2010, according to a report published by the Mental Health Commission today... Press Release Date: 23 February 2012 |
2011
Unemployment, debt and poverty are impacting on the mental health of adults, adolescents and children Mental Health Commission recommends action to alleviate the human cost of the economic crisis. The number of people suffering from mental health difficulties is increasing as a result of the recession, while at the same time the Government is faced with difficult decisions regarding spending on services for those people, according to a report published by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) today... Press Release Date: 28 September 2011 |
Priority needs to be given to the reorientation of mental health services from old style model of institutional care to community based services, Mental Health Commission The State's Mental Health Services are facing significant staff shortages due to the haemorrhaging of personnel who are not being replaced due to the moratorium on public sector recruitment, the Mental Health Commission said today. At the launch of the Commission's 2010 annual report today the MHC Chairman Dr Edmond O'Dea said that in some areas some 20% of nurses have left in the past one or two years and these have not been replaced. "This is a big problem as staff are being withdrawn from community services in order to plug gaps in inpatient units. This is another factor slowing down the move from institutional to community care that we all want", Dr O'Dea said... Press Release Date: 02 June 2011 |
Progress remains slow on implementation of Vision for Change Five years after the unveiling of the government's policy on mental health services 'A Vision for Change' progress remains slow, according to the State body that regulates and fosters high standards in the mental health services, the Mental Health Commission (MHC)... Press Release Date: 26 January 2011 |
2010
Young people in mental health units to be helped understand their treatment and assert their rights 360 children and adolescents admitted each year to get "toolkit" from Mental Health Commission. The Mental Health Commission today launched a website and written resource pack to assist young people availing of mental health services. The Headspace Toolkit is designed to equip young people being treated for mental illness to speak up for themselves, assert their rights and get involved in decisions concerning their care and treatment... Press Release Date: 22 February 2010 |
Implementation of government policy on mental health continues to be slow Minister's intention to allocate funding a welcome step, says MHC. The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has said today that the implementation of the Government's policy on mental health services 'A Vision for Change', which is now four years old, continues to be slow... Press Release Date: 26 January 2010 |
Framework for Public and Service User Involvement The Health and Social Care Regulatory Forum of Chief Executives recently launched on their various websites a publication entitled Framework for Public and Service User Involvement in Health and Social Care Regulation in Ireland.. Press Release Date: 25 January 2010 |
Health and Social Care Regulators Plans to Increase Public Involvement in Regulation The Health and Social Care Regulatory Forum of Chief Executives met today with the Minister for Health and Children to present her with a copy of their new on-line publication entitled Framework for Public and Service User Involvement in Health and Social Care Regulation in Ireland (December 2009). The Forum was established in 2008 to provide a mechanism for exploring opportunities to harmonise certain business processes, share best practice and facilitate coordination between member organisations... Press Release Date: 25 January 2010 |
Mental Health Services adopt new approach to ensure the features of a Quality Mental Health Services are fully implemented Service providers agree ambitious target and volunteer to have progress measured independently. The HSE and the Mental Health Commission today signed an agreement with mental health service providers which will allow the parties work together to ensure that services are delivered in a more patient-focused way. The Mental Health Services Collaborative seeks to implement agreed standards in the delivery of mental health services and is the first time that a Service Level Agreement of this nature and significance, and which incorporates independent measurement of progress, has been signed... Press Release Date: 22 January 2010 |
2009
Section 55 MHA 2001 Inquiry Report The Mental Health Commission has today published the report of the inquiry team set up to review the operation of the two approved centres for the care and treatment of persons suffering from mental illness or mental disorder in Clonmel Co Tipperary. The remit of the inquiry was "to review care and treatment practices in St Michael's Unit, South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel and St Luke's Hospital, Clonmel, including the quality and planning of care and the use of restraint and seclusion and to report to the Mental Health Commission."... Press Release Date: 03 April 2009 |
Progress on implementing official government policy on mental health is slow says Mental Health Commission "Change must be a reality, not just a vision" The Mental Health Commission (MHC) remains disappointed at the slow progress towards the implementation of the Government's policy on mental health services, which is now three years old. The Commission welcomes the implementation of some elements of A Vision for Change in 2008. These include the establishment of the National Service User Executive (NSUE) and progress in providing additional inpatient capacity for children and adolescents. These changes will bring tangible benefits to people and we welcome them, said the MHC Chairman Dr. Edmond O'Dea... Press Release Date: 26 January 2009 |
2008
1 in 4 People around the World will Experience a Mental Illness Mental Health Commission to host Seminar as part of World Mental Health Day.World Mental Health Day will be marked in Ireland and worldwide tomorrow as part of an international campaign to prioritise mental health issues... Press Release Date: 09 October 2008 |
Mental Health Commission says Thornton Hall not appropriate site for Central Mental Hospital Review of State's forensic mental health service needs required. The Mental Health Commission has advised the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that it is of the view that the proposal to relocate the Central Mental Hospital at Thornton Hall in North Dublin is not in the best interests of patients, and is not conducive to patient rehabilitation and recovery... Press Release Date: 29 July 2008 |
2007
Landmark year as Mental Health Act is fully implemented 2006 will be remembered as the year when significant and far-reaching changes took place in Irish mental health services, according to the Mental Health Commission's fifth annual report published today. "The full commencement of the Mental Health Act 2001 means a new era in mental health services in Ireland," said Brid Clarke, CEO... Press Release Date: 28 March 2007 |
Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland Launched by Mental Health Commission The Mental Health Commission (MHC) today, launched 'The Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland'. The Mental Health Commission report 'Quality in Mental Health - Your Views' published in 2005, brought together a wide range of perspectives on what constitutes quality in mental health care systems. The Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland has built on the wealth of ideas expressed in that report. It is aligned to the national mental health policy - 'Vision for Change' (Department of Health and Children 2006) that provides a strategic 'road map' for the development of mental health services over the coming years... Press Release Date: 06 March 2007 |
Commission publishes Inquiry Report on Central Mental Hospital The Mental Health Commission, today published the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Current Care and Treatment Practices in the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin. Following the report on the facility by the Inspector of Mental Health Services in 2004, the Commission, decided to establish an Inquiry, (as per Section 55, Mental Health Act 2001) to review the current care and treatment practices in the Central Mental Hospital. This decision is in line with the Commission's mandate to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards and good practices in mental health services... Press Release Date: 10 January 2007 |
2006
The Views of Adult Users of the Public Sector Mental Health Services An important research study on service users views of publicly funded mental health services commissioned by the Mental Health Commission is published today - "The Views of Adult Users of the Public Sector Mental Health Services". This research study provides detailed information on how service users experience mental health services within the public sector . One of the key findings of the study is that the current organisation of mental health services is inappropriate and unsuited to the needs of people with a mental illness... Press Release Date: 06 September 2006 |
Mental Health Commission welcomes Expert Group's Report on new policy framework and the progress on the establishment of the Mental Health Tribunals The Mental Health Commission today, welcomed the publication by the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy of its report, A Vision for Change by An Tánaiste and Minister for Health & Children, Mary Harney TD. Commenting on the launch of the Report, Bríd Clarke, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, said the Government had issued a timely report on the framework required for the development of mental health services over the next 7-10 years. She pointed out the need for development of new policies to match recent developments in mental health legislation.... Press Release Date: 04 January 2006 |
2005
MHC decides on next step for establishing Mental Health Tribunals The Mental Health Commission, an independent statutory body, was established in April 2002 under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001. For the last three years, the Commission has been steadily progressing all of the necessary components to implement in full the Mental Health Act 2001 including training, documentation, facilities for mental health tribunals and quality/audit systems.... Press Release Date: 20 October 2005 |
2003
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