Mental Health in Primary Care Report

The report looks at the current status of mental health service delivery in primary care settings in the South Western Area Health Board's catchment area (Dublin South City, South County Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow). In line with the Primary Care Strategy, the aim in gathering this information, is to inform the delivery of a community care model, where the majority of people's health needs, including mental health, are provided within primary care.

There was a very positive reaction to the study as exhibited by the high response rate with 64% of GPs and 77% of consultant psychiatrists in the Board's area participating. The report's recommendations include the need for: increased mental health skills training among GPs; agreed clinical protocols for detection, assessment, treatment, referral, follow-up and discharge of patients; and improved communication and better exchange of information between mental health providers and GPs.