Changes to Mayo protocols in managing people with suicidal ideation

A Mayo elected representative has been informed of changes to protocols in the west of Ireland for managing people with suicidal ideation while awaiting psychiatry assessment.

Councillor Michael Loftus raised the issue at today's meeting of the HSE West Health Forum in Galway.

Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Health Area Manager, Galway Roscommon, outlined: "In 2016 the National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of Patients who present to the Emergency Department (NCPSH) Model of Care (MOC) was introduced.

"This MOC was subsequently updated in 2022 and a National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide-related Ideation Operational Guidance Document for the emergency department programme was published in January 2024.

"HSE West & Northwest Community Mental Health Services (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon) follows the National Clinical programme for self-harm and suicide related ideation operational guidance document for the emergency department programme.

"Community Healthcare West welcomes the recommendations for 24/7 senior nurse presence in EDs, from the Acute Mental Healthcare in Hospital EDs in Ireland National Survey, from the Office of the Inspector of Mental Health Service and request that appropriate funding is provided to implement this.

"As part of NSP 2025 we were delighted to receive two SCAN Nursing posts specific for traveller health that will be located in Portiuncula Hospital which is the area with the highest rate of self-harm and suicide in the country at present in this particular category.

"All guidance documents and protocols are contingent on appropriate staffing levels and we will continue to advocate through the estimates process for the additional resources required to fully staff our ED departments to the staffing levels required to fully implement."