<p>
	Figures released by the Health Service Executive show that two-thirds of patients presenting for hospital treatment for serious mental health issues last year were re-admitted to hospital within the year.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	There were almost 13,100 admissions in 2015 - with the readmission rate at 66%.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Mental health groups have raised concerns about the numbers of patients accessing crisis services through emergency departments.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Last year more than 13,000 adults presented either at emergency departments or directly at acute psychiatric units in need of hospital treatment for serious mental health issues.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The HSE said none of its community mental health services provide 24-hour cover and patients seeking to access acute mental health services out-of-hours must go to hospital emergency departments.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The HSE also said that just under one-third of vacancies remain unfilled for clinical nurse specialists who treat patients presenting to emergency departments with suicidal ideation or self harm.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The group Mental Health Reform has raised concerns about the high numbers of people attending emergency departments with mental health difficulties.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	It said that emergency departments are not appropriate places to treat people suffering distress with mental health issues, and it called for investment in 24-hour community-based services.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by RTE.ie on the 7th June 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0607/793722-mental-health/">http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0607/793722-mental-health/</a></p>
