Strain on mental health services expected to grow

ALMOST 300 people with an intellectual disability are living full-time in mental health services which are highly inappropriate for their needs.

The 2010 annual report of the National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) committee found 238 individuals people with an intellectual disability were living in psychiatric hospitals during 2010, while a further 55 live in mental health community residences.

This practice has long been criticised as unsuitable, and it is 25 years since the then government said the policy would be reversed.

The report shows there were 25,936 people with an intellectual disability who were in receipt of services, representing 98% of the total population registered on the NIDD. This was the highest number of people in receipt of services since the database was established.

More than 25% of people aged 35 or over with a moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability lived with their families in 2010.

The report also looks to the future needs during the 2011–2015 period.

Researchers found that 4,539 new residential, day or residential support places will be needed to meet service requirements during those years.

Of the existing places used in 2010, 14,443 need to be changed or upgraded, with just over two thirds of them required in day services.

More than 800 young adults with an intellectual disability aged 16 years or over who were in an education setting in 2010 will need a range of day services within the same period.

According to the report, most of the day service requirements are immediate as 750 people require it in 2011 or 2012.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Kathleen Lynch, Minister with Responsibility for Disability, said Ireland is one of the few European countries with such a national database.

“It is imperative that we have reliable data on the services provided as well as the identified needs of those requiring specialist disability services, such as residential, respite, day and multi-disciplinary services,” she said.

“In the current economic climate of reduced spending, the challenge will be to set priorities and deliver and plan quality services within a tight budgetary framework based on accurate and up-to-date information.

“This year’s report identifies trends that have been discernible in the last number of years. These trends include increased provision of services, an increase in the reported needs of people with an intellectual disability and greater numbers of individuals surviving into old age. All of these trends have implications for the planning and provision of services into the future.”