Tuesday, January 15, 2008

262 freed from Irish psychiatric hospitals in the past year.

Around 20 Irish psychiatric patients are now being released every month after pleading their case before special tribunals. They were originally detained in mental hospitals against their will, and now have the option of independent tribunals. The mental health tribunals were set up over a year ago to allow patients who were the subject of involuntary detention orders to make their case to have it lifted. Previously, they had to rely on the sympathy of psychiatrists to deem if they were suitable to have the order lifted. Apparently, there was an obvious need for this sort of procedure in the name of ordinary justice and human rights. From the Irish Idependent

New figures from the Mental Health Commission show that 262 involuntary patients had the orders removed after appearing before the tribunals between December 2006 and November 2007. There have been a total of 2,227 hearings to date.

The tribunals are made up of doctors, members of the public and psychiatrists. The patient is able to appear in person to put their case forward.

There were 1,504 people detained against their will during that time -- down on the previous year following the introduction of more complex procedures for admission.

The detainee can opt for a Mental Health Commission-appointed solicitor and can appeal a tribunal ruling in the circuit court.

Since the beginning of the new legislation, 216 children have been detained in adult psychiatric facilities because of a lack of beds. Five of these children were detained against their will, and 12 were aged between 13 and 14.

However, psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey said this situation was unacceptable.

"The HSE and also the Department of Finance need to be reminded that this situation is in breach of all international standards for the treatment of children with mental health issues. Children need facilities of their own," she said.

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