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The challenge of applying mental health law reform to the intellectual disability sector in Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Peter Leonard ,
John Hillery  and
Mary Staines
Peter Leonard
Affiliation:
Stewart's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin and St Raphael's, St John of God, Kildare Services, Celbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland
John Hillery
Affiliation:
Stewart's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin and St Raphael's, St John of God, Kildare Services, Celbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland
Mary Staines
Affiliation:
Stewart's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland
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Abstract

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The full implementation of the Irish Mental Health Act 2001 brings about the introduction of an altered legal definition of mental disorder, mandatory review of involuntary detention within a 21-day period and new statutory rules regarding the use of seclusion and mechanical means of bodily restraint. This legislation came into full effect on November 1, 2006. The implications of this for the intellectual disability psychiatry sector are profound and the full ramifications of these changes will only become fully apparent over time.

This also occurs at a time when we are facing unprecedented developments in government mental health policy, major changes to postgraduate training in psychiatry, difficulty recruiting appropriately skilled staff and increasing legal requirements on employers to ensure staff safety. Several of these drivers for change may appear at face value to be in conflict and a complex balance will be required if these changes are to be blended to ultimately improve the care provided to clients of our services.

Type
Editorial
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , June 2007 , pp. 47 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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