Minister for Mental Health welcomes publication of the Mental Health Commission Annual Report 2024
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Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler today welcomed the Mental Health Commission’s Annual Report for 2024.
This annual report of the Mental Health Commission and the Inspector of Mental Health Services provides an important independent insight into how mental health services are performing and where improvements can be made.
Minister Butler said:
"This report represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to enhance the quality and safety of Mental Health services across the country. While it rightly highlights areas requiring further attention in a small number of approved centres, I am encouraged by the positive developments described in the report.
"In particular, the continued adoption of human rights-based approaches and the implementation of innovative practices in many HSE centres are welcome. It is also encouraging to see that in 2024, the number of children admitted to adult units fell to its lowest level on record and we saw a further decrease in episodes of seclusion and restraint. This is a clear indication that our policies are working.
“I warmly welcome the achievement of full compliance by six approved centres during the 2024 inspection cycle, and the strong performance of a further 27 centres, many of them within the HSE, which reached 90% compliance. These outcomes reflect a high standard of governance and clinical care in over half of all approved centres, but there is clearly more work to be done by the HSE to ensure this is replicated in every centre.
“I want to acknowledge the important work of the Mental Health Commission and all those working across the mental health sector who are committed to continuous improvement and to delivering safe, person-centred care."
Minister Butler and the Department of Health will continue to work closely with both the Mental Health Commission and the HSE to improve the quality and safety of mental health services.
Notes
Minister Butler announced the largest ever annual capital investment allocation of €31 million for 2025.
HSE Mental Health Services are progressing the development of a 10-year capital plan for mental health.
The Mental Health Bill concluded Committee Stage this week, and will move to Report Stage as soon as possible.
At present, the Mental Health Commission’s regulatory remit under the 2001 Act encompasses approved centres providing inpatient treatment to persons with a mental illness. Under the proposed new Mental Health Bill, that remit is expected to significantly expand to include the regulation of community mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This includes both residential and non-residential mental health services.
In advance of the expansion of the Mental Health Commission’s remit as proposed in the new Mental Health Bill, Minister Butler requested the Commission begin the development of standards for CAMHS.