'A very frightening turn of events' in Mayo mental health services

'WHAT has been described as ' a very frightening turn of events' is impinging on mental health services in Mayo.

It has been learned that GPs will no longer be able to refer patients with an alcohol addiction to HSE services unless they have been diagnosed with a co-morbid mental health illness.

This means that scores of patients receiving support were left high and dry over Christmas as GPs had nowhere to send patients who presented with alcohol addiction problems unless they had the additional diagnosis.

The matter has been highlighted by Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who said he found the decision totally unacceptable.

He stated: “The festive season was a pressure point for families with members suffering from an alcohol addiction problem.

“I understand the decision to change the policy was taken on the advice of senior psychiatric personnel and that people working in this sector have been completely taken aback by the decision and the fallout.

“The west of Ireland has been historically completely under-resourced for dealing with the issues surrounding alcohol addiction and this is compounding the problems.

“This new cut to services is totally unacceptable and must be reversed immediately. I have written to the management of HSE West but a strong intervention by the Minister for Health would be very useful.

“I note there is a particular problem locally in that services tend to be pigeonholed either into drugs or alcohol services, where most people presenting with one or other of those issues have a poly-use problem.

“There are also issues with prescription drugs and other drugs people are using. There generally tends to be social and health problems associated with them.

“The fact is, however, that a vital service such as addiction counselling under the HSE is being limited in such a way that only people who have a dual diagnosis can be seen.

“That means that people who are currently receiving supports from the addiction services will no longer be able to avail of them. This is totally unacceptable.”