The HSE says it is making every effort to resume full mental health services for older people in Co Donegal, which have been suspended for new referrals since September.
It says the curtailment of services is “of a temporary nature” due to a staffing shortage, but recruitment of a consultant will start early in 2016. Donegal GPs were told mental health services for older people were being temporarily closed in a letter sent on September 7th. The closure was caused by difficulties filling in for a member of staff on sick leave.
“Without urgent contingency planning, the Donegal Mental Health Service can no longer provide a consultant-led, safe service for the elderly population of Donegal,” consultant psychiatrist Dr CJ Haley said in the letter.
"Therefore, all referrals received by the Mental Health Service for Older People will be returned to sender. A liaison service to Letterkenny General Hospital can no longer be provided."
Appointments
Patients on the waiting list “cannot be given scheduled appointments at the current time”, the letter stated.
Mark McCollum, advocate for older people, said the letter “went under the radar”, possibly because of the stigma attaching to mental health issues. “It’s unbelievable that people with dementia, depression and other issues can get no specialist help for so long,” he said.
The HSE said services for older people were “maintaining their case loads” but new users were advised to contact their GP. Emergency referrals would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the services, with support of general adult psychiatry colleagues.
The 2016 HSE mental health service plan included the proposed appointment of a second full-time consultant with special interest in older people, a spokeswoman said.
Age Action said the HSE needed to explain why no contingency plan was in place.
