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Psychiatric deinstitutionalisation in Ireland 1960–2013

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2015

D. Walsh
D. Walsh*
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist. Formerly Inspector of Mental Hospitals
*
*Address for correspondence: D. Walsh, Russborough, Blessington Co Wicklow. (Email: blaisewalsh@eircom.net)
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Abstract

Objective

This paper reviews the decline in numbers in inpatient psychiatric care in Ireland over the past half century.

Method

The relevant policy publications advocating de-institutilisation have been examined. Change has been monitored through successive census reports of the Medico-social Research Board and the Health Research Board.

Findings

Ireland has moved from having the highest hospitalisation rate of any western country to a position of equality with other comparable countries in the quantum of inpatient care provided. In the public sector virtually no patients remain in 19th century mental hospitals with acute care being provided in general hospital units. Numbers have also decreased in the private sector but to a lesser degree and acute private care is still delivered in stand-alone psychiatric hospitals.

Keywords

Irelandpsychiatry deinstitutilisation1963–2013
Type
Historical
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , December 2015 , pp. 347 - 352
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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