Real mental healthcare reform is progressing

POLICY for the future development of our mental health services is outlined in the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, A Vision for Change (2006), which proposed a new model of service delivery.

The aim was and still is to move, over time, from the old traditional institution-based model to a patient-centred, flexible and community-based mental health service, where the need for hospital admission is greatly reduced and the quality and effectiveness of the service is improved.

It is accepted that progress on implementation has been slower than expected, however, it is important to recognise and acknowledge that in many parts of the country substantial change has already been effected and mental health services are pressing ahead with developing new ways of working and initiatives to implement A Vision for Change.