Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
752. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a dedicated funding allocation for the development of the inpatient mental health support mother-and-baby unit has been agreed; if not, when he expects to announce this allocation; the timeline he is working towards in establishing this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36633/24]
View answerThe Model of Care for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) was launched in 2017 adopting hub and spoke model, and services are now available on all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide. There are 6 consultant-led multidisciplinary hub sites and 13 spoke sites, staffed by Perinatal Mental Health Midwives, and overall funding for this programme to date is €3.5m.
A key element of the Model of Care is the Mother and Baby Unit, and progressing the Unit is a priority for myself, my Department and the HSE. The HSE is currently preparing a feasibility study on the building of the Unit at the Elm Park site at St. Vincents University Hospital, and I expect this to be finalised in the near future. This would include all relevant estimated costs and timescales for the unit, which will be considered under the HSE Capital plan.
I can also advise that a Steering Group has been established to refresh the Model of Care, and my Department is currently considering issues raised separately in the National Women’s Council (NWC) report on Perinatal Mental Services. My Department will work closely with the HSE to strengthen the Model of Care where required, to address the gaps highlighted by the report.
