Following a Faculty EGM on third February 2022, the Faculty has written to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Well being to stipulate issues across the proposed amendments to the Psychological Well being (Modification) Act 2001 and to request a gathering to debate identical.
See this correspondence in full beneath or right here.
To: Deputy Seán Crowe, Chair, Joint Committee on Well being
Re: Issues re. proposed legislative revisions to Psychological Well being Act 2001 stopping well timed entry to therapy and care
Expensive Mr. Crowe,
The Faculty of Psychiatrists of Eire is the only accredited coaching, schooling {and professional} physique for Psychiatry in Eire, representing 1,000 psychiatrists (each specialists and trainees) throughout the nation. The mission of the Faculty is to advertise excellence within the apply of Psychiatry.
EGM held as a consequence of main issues with present Basic Scheme of the Psychological Well being (Modification) Invoice
Involuntary therapy below the Psychological Well being Act 2001 applies to solely a small and extremely susceptible minority of the sufferers of psychological well being providers: these with essentially the most extreme and debilitating episodes of psychosis, mania and extreme despair kind the vast majority of sufferers who obtain lifesaving therapy below this Act.
Such is members’ concern with facets of the proposed amendments to the Psychological Well being Act 2001, and the potential to disclaim our sufferers entry to therapy for these with extreme psychological sicknesses, that the Faculty held an Extraordinary Basic Assembly (EGM) lately (03/02/22) on the draft Heads of Invoice. Two emergency motions have been handed by an amazing majority (simply over seventy %).
The motions carried have been a) we can not help the present draft Heads of Invoice and b) a dedication to interact robustly with all related stakeholders within the legislative course of (see motions beneath).
Psychiatrists, as specialist docs, work in quite a lot of settings, together with hospitals, group settings, individuals’s houses, residential centres, nursing houses and prisons. They work with the Psychological Well being Act each day for these with extreme psychological sickness, throughout the lifespan of the inhabitants.
As advocates for individuals’s proper to entry well timed, evidence-based, specialist remedies we consider the proposed amendments to the Act, as they presently stand, will deny our sufferers this elementary proper. It should lengthen struggling and probably improve danger to our sufferers, their households and most of the people.
We stay obtainable to interact with members of the Joint Committee on Well being and the Sub Committee on Psychological Well being on any side of the draft Heads. Nevertheless, in view of the issues expressed by Faculty members (who might be centrally concerned in implementing the revised Act, and the following affect on the care that they’ll present for sufferers), we urgently search a gathering with the Joint Oireachtas Committee and/or Sub Committee on Psychological Well being to debate these points additional and discover acceptable and crucial options appropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Council
Dr William Flannery President
Dr Lorcan Martin, Vice-President and Director of PCS
Dr Aoibhinn Lynch Dean and Director of Postgraduate Coaching
Dr Maeve Doyle Director of Communications and Public Training
Dr Mike Scully Treasurer and Chair of Legislation committee
Dr Imelda Whyte Chair, School of Baby and Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr Edyta Truszkowska Chair, School of Dependancy Psychiatry
Dr Maeve Moran Chair, School of Studying Incapacity Psychiatry
Dr Daniel Herlihy Chair, School of Social & Rehabilitation Psychiatry
Dr Udo Reulbach Chair, School of Medical Psychotherapy
Dr Ronan Mullaney Chair, School of Forensic Psychiatry
Dr Anne Doherty Chair, School of Liaison Psychiatry
Dr Aoife Hunt Chair, School of Grownup Psychiatry
Dr Aoife Ni Chorcorain Chair of School of Psychiatry of Previous Age
Prof Paul Fearon Chair, School of Tutorial Psychiatry
Dr Michele Hill Chair, School of Youth & Scholar Psychiatry
Dr Micheál O’Cuill Chair, Postgraduate Coaching Committee
Dr Ciaran Clarke Chair, Human Rights & Ethics Committee
Prof Mary Cannon Elected Member
Dr Mary Cosgrave Elected Member
Dr Rebecca Conlan Trant Trainee Committee (BST),
Dr Sarah Casey Co-Chair, Trainee Committee (HST)
Dr Aoife O’Callaghan Co-Chair, Trainee Committee (HST)
Dr Mia McLaughlin Joint-Chair, REFOCUS
Mr. Brian McNulty Joint-Chair, REFOCUS
For Info:
Movement One
‘Medical professionalism is a core component of being an excellent physician. Good medical apply is predicated on a relationship of belief between the career and society during which docs are anticipated to fulfill the best requirements {of professional} apply and behavior and are enabled by state laws to take action. Consequently, we’re unable to help the proposed revisions to the Psychological Well being Act as they may forestall us from offering the proof based mostly psychiatric therapy that our sufferers are entitled to obtain. As advocates for our sufferers with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Dysfunction and different psychological sickness we’ve an moral responsibility to advocate for his or her entry to acceptable healthcare. These proposals will forestall them from receiving acceptable healthcare and isn’t of their greatest pursuits.’
Movement Two
‘That the Faculty will proceed to interact robustly with the legislature in relation to the proposed amendments to the Psychological Well being Act 2001, and that when the ultimate draft Invoice is revealed there might be additional session with the membership. The result of this session might be supplied to the legislature.’
Learn extra on the Faculty EGM held on third February 2022 right here.
