Mental Health Commission launches public consultation on the quality framework for mental health services

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has today launched a public consultation on the quality framework for mental health services in Ireland with the overall aim of amending and improving the framework for the betterment of all those who deliver and receive mental health care. 

The quality framework represents the national standards that apply across all mental health services and is a key reference document for people who use, deliver and work in mental health services across the country. The framework is being reviewed by the MHC in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and the consultation - which is open now for four weeks until June 14th - forms part of that review.

It is the first consultation of two being carried out on key areas of mental health policy by the MHC in 2021. A second public consultation will commence later in the year around the area of restrictive practices.

Commenting on the public consultation, Gary Kiernan, Director of Regulation at the Mental Health Commission, said: “The quality framework is crucially important to those who deliver and receive mental health care. I would encourage people to give their feedback by identifying areas that they believe the framework should address, to think about any evidence that should be considered, and to think about areas that might bring about real and meaningful change.

 

“We are doing this review to ensure that the framework is in line with international standards and best practices. For example, we specifically called out the promotion and protection of human rights in the MHC’s current strategy and we are now keen to ensure that respect for a person’s human rights is embedded across all our policies and standards.

“We want to hear from all stakeholders and we especially want to hear from service users, their friends and families, people working professionally in services, and the public,” Mr Kiernan added. “We are committed to carefully assessing all feedback received and we will use it, along with other available evidence and information, to develop a draft revised quality framework.”

The framework is applicable to all mental health services in the public, voluntary and independent sectors, including services for children and adolescents, adults, older persons, persons with an intellectual disability and a mental illness, while it is also applicable in forensic mental health services. 

It applies equally to all mental health services irrespective of whether they are being delivered within the service user’s home; within community settings, both residential and non-residential; or within inpatient facilities. 

To learn more and have your voice heard please click here. 

You can read our full statement here.