A new report out today exposes a postcode lottery for accessing mental health services through A&E and shows Cavan General Hospital is "under-resourced" and contends with "maor issues" in treating the 15-18- year-old cohort.
A national survey by the Inspector of Mental Health Services shows 51,000 people annually access mental health services for the first time through a hospital emergency department. It also reveals the quality of mental health care in hospital EDs depends on where you live.
Data in the report shows Cavan General ED made 217 mental health referrals in 2023. The respondent to the survey on behalf of Cavan General said the hospital "experiences major issues involving young patients with mental health difficulty presenting in crisis situations especially those young people seeking a place of safety."
"Staff feel insufficiently resourced to manage this cohort, resulting in frustration for clinical teams, patients and their families," the report states. "Such crises can persist for several days or more," it continues.
Christine Wynne from SOSAD Cavan and Monaghan says many mental health issues among young people can be prevented from getting to the A&E stage but said hospitals like Cavan General should prioritise mental health patients who present:
