May 2, 2008
Mental Health
Castlebar student champs
Mayo News (Tue, 29 Apr 2008)
Three Castlebar students have been crowned public speaking champions of Ireland for their discussion on serious issues concerning mental health. The winning trio from St Gerald’s College were Rián Derrig, Aidan Rowe and David Gallagher. The National Public Speaking event was organised by Mental Health Ireland (MHI) and took place in Trinity College last Saturday night.
Suicide Prevention
Service helps children cope with suicide
Evening Herald (Sat, 26 Apr 2008)
A new suicide bereavement scheme focussing solely on helping children to cope with the tragedy of losing a loved one is set to be rolled out in the capital. In response to the yawning gaps in the State's own suicide prevention and counselling services, leading independent support group Console has drawn-up plans for the vital new scheme. And as a result, the child and family service will be open on the Navan Road from mid-summer in an attempt to help devastated children come to terms with suicide tragedies.
Mental Health Service
Pharmacists call off threat to withhold free medicine
Irish Independent (Thu, 1 May 2008)
Threats by up to 900 pharmacists to stop dispensing free and subsidised medicines from today were withdrawn after a deal was reached last night. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said it would recommend proposals from the Health Service Executive (HSE) aimed at ending the bitter row over the decision to cut wholesale payments for drugs, from 18pc to 7pc, from March.
Nurses may lose pay if dispute continues
Irish Times Subscription (Thu, 1 May 2008)
Psychiatric nurses who began industrial action yesterday have been warned their pay may be cut if the dispute continues. The threat was issued by the Health Service Executive Employers Agency (HSEEA) as more than 8,000 psychiatric nurses began their action over a HSE compensation scheme for psychiatric nurses injured at work.
Mental Health Services lauded
Roscommon Champion (Tue, 29 Apr 2008)
At the Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards, HSE West's Roscommon Mental Health Services won an Award for their project which expanded the Mental Health community service from a five day a week to a seven day a week service. Michael Tobin, General Manager, Roscommon PCCC said "I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the project and thank all staff for their dedication and commit- ment from the planning stages right through to implementation."
Industrial action by 28,000 workers
Irish Health (Tue, 29 Apr 2008)
Some 28,000 healthcare workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, in response to the HSE’s recruitment freeze and its effect on services and staff. The workers, all members of the IMPACT trade union, include health professionals, therapists, social workers, administrative and managerial staff. In a national ballot, 85% voted in favour of industrial action in the HSE and HSE-funded agencies from May 21, 2008. This is the largest ever vote of its kind taken by the union.
Officers call for revamp of key welfare services
Irish Examiner (Tue, 29 Apr 2008)
Vulnerable children and domestic violence victims are being left in the care of Garda officers be- cause trained health workers are not available outside office hours, gardai said last night. The Garda Representative Association said a lack of key services, such as out- of-hours social workers, was placing an unfair and inappropriate responsibility for sensitive cases on untrained rank-and-file officers. Mr Egan will also appeal for changes to laws regarding the transport of mental health patients by gardai, during, his key address to Justice Minister Brian Lenihan at the conference today.
Eating Disorders
Dietitian allocated to young people
Irish Times Subscription (Tue, 29 Apr 2008)
A new role is set to improve the nutritional care of children and adolescents with eating disorders or mental illnesses, writes Michelle McDonagh .
