Ireland's Mental Health Care System Under Strain: 830 Bed Shortfall Amid High Demand In Kildare

Friday, 28 June 2024 10:38

By Martin Osborne

There are only 23.8 adult beds per 100,000 population in public approved centres here, compared to an EU average of 73.

There's a shortfall of 830 acute mental health beds across the country.

There are only 23.8 adult beds per 100,000 population in public approved centres here, compared to an EU average of 73.

An Irish Hospital Consultants Association report shows inpatient psychiatric care is now reserved only for the ‘seriously ill’.

Kildare is among the counties with the highest occupancy rate for Child and Adolescent mental health beds, with occupancy rates across the CHO 7 (Dublin South City/South West/West, Kildare and West Wicklow) at 92%.

Its Vice-President Anne Doherty says efforts to boost the number of acute mental health beds have failed.

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