Mattie McGrath warns mental health services failing in Tipper
Mattie McGrath criticised the state of mental health services, saying CAM services are non-existent in Tipper and that consultants' actions are forcing patients into private care. He urged investigations, highlighted local suicide tragedies and warned A&E is being used for acute psychiatric cases.
He told colleagues that mental health has become "a poor relation" and that there is a big job to be done to address numerous problems. He said CAM services are non-existent in Tipper and that existing provision is inadequate.
He recalled local figures and fundraisers who supported communities and reported devastation when one such figure ended his own life. He said the tragedy was compounded by dozens more local deaths by suicide that he has encountered.
He said many consultants are striking or not treating patients in the public service, which is forcing people towards private care. He called for significant investigation into the situation affecting public provision.
He warned that there is not a single long-stay bed in the Tipper area and that people having psychotic attacks are being sent to A&E. He described using A&E as the only option for acute psychiatric episodes as unacceptable.
He wished the ministers well but insisted urgent work and investigations are needed to provide proper care for those struggling. He emphasised the need to do something practical for people in crisis and to remedy systemic failings.
Main criticism
He told colleagues that mental health has become "a poor relation" and that there is a big job to be done to address numerous problems. He said CAM services are non-existent in Tipper and that existing provision is inadequate.
Local tragedies
He recalled local figures and fundraisers who supported communities and reported devastation when one such figure ended his own life. He said the tragedy was compounded by dozens more local deaths by suicide that he has encountered.
Service gaps and strikes
He said many consultants are striking or not treating patients in the public service, which is forcing people towards private care. He called for significant investigation into the situation affecting public provision.
A&E and bed shortages
He warned that there is not a single long-stay bed in the Tipper area and that people having psychotic attacks are being sent to A&E. He described using A&E as the only option for acute psychiatric episodes as unacceptable.
Calls for action
He wished the ministers well but insisted urgent work and investigations are needed to provide proper care for those struggling. He emphasised the need to do something practical for people in crisis and to remedy systemic failings.
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Transcript
you want to wish to both ministers well there's a big job of work to be done here it's just a poor relation mental health and so many problems from the cam services non-existent in tipper in carmel and the ones that are existent a lot of consultants and some consultants are not are striking the situation and not treating patients in the public service and then forcing them onto private and a lot of investigation needs to be done there we had again here local heroes colin ryan was a famous gentleman from the europe county minister butler from bala macabre a wonderful man that helped in so many areas fundraised so many issues and supported so many people there was devastation when he ended his own life but for his sake and the dozens that i know of connor of column ryan's that have ended their own life since it's so sad so sad and we need to be able to do something for the people that are struggling going to an a&e is that an option a mad a&e can melt we don't have a single single long stay bed in tipper area and people have any psychotic attacks have to go to a&e it's not acceptable deputy