Cathal Crowe
Question:542. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of establishing the first ever in-patient mother and baby mental health unit. [39838/24]
View answerTuesday, 8 October 2024
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Written answers
The 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. Vincent's 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.
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.
With regard to the cost of establishing a Mother and Baby Unit in Ireland, this would be a matter for the HSE, who I have asked to reply directly to you.