Mental health emergencies in north west to continue under existing pathways rather than new dedicated Sligo unit

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A the recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West North West it was confirmed there are no plans to establish a dedicated emergency department facility for mental health in Sligo for the north west.

In reply to a query from Cllr Marie Casserly, John Fitzmaurice, HSE Integrated Health Area Manager, Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cavan said, “At present, there are no plans to establish a standalone facility.

“However, there are established pathways in place to manage mental health emergencies in the region 24/7. Emergency mental health assessments in the North West are currently provided through a range of services.”

Mr Fitzmaurice highlighted services such as the Liaison Mental Health Services Within Sligo–Leitrim, commenting, “We are delighted to have the Adult Liaison Psychiatry Team, Psychiatry of Old Age (PoA) Liaison Team and in the near future two Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Liaison staff. The Adult Liaison Psychiatry Team provides direct input to the Emergency Department at Sligo University Hospital.

There are established pathways in place to manage mental health emergencies in the region

HSE Integrated Health Area Manager, Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cavan

“The team delivers rapid assessment and real-time support for adults presenting in acute distress. The liaison team is led by a Consultant Psychiatrist and includes specialist mental health nurses and non-consultant hospital doctors. The team operates seven days a week, 12 hours per day. Follow-up care or onward referrals are directed through this team.”

Mr Fitzmaurice also highlighted the work of the Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) saying, “This team operates the Crisis Resolution Model of Care within our Integrated Healthcare Area (IHA). The CRT is staffed from 8am-8pm, seven days week. The role of this team is to provide rapid assessment and short-term, intensive support. They offer care in the community or at home rather than automatically relying on hospital admission. Complementing the clinical crisis team is the Solace Café in Sligo — an informal, safe, community space open evenings/weekends where adults can access emotional support, peer connection, coping strategies, and signposting to further services.

Another service provided by the HSE that was detailed is the Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) with Mr Fitzmaurice explaining, “Many patients with moderate to severe mental health difficulties are already linked with Adult, POA and Mental Health Intellectual Disability (MHID) CMHTs. These community mental health teams facilitate urgent assessment and provide acute follow up care in the home and in other settings such as Day Hospital.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services have also been allocated two liaison staff as part of the development of a CAMHS Liaison Service

Integrated Health Area Manager, Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cavan

Mr Fitzmaurice also noted the allocation of additional staff within the CAMHS department and the benefits that will bring saying, “Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services have also been allocated two liaison staff as part of the development of a CAMHS Liaison Service, which will work alongside hospital services, including the Emergency Department, CAMHS and paediatric wards.

“They will assess and support young people presenting in crisis or with acute mental health needs. A Clinical Nurse Specialist and Registrar will be recruited into these positions in 2026.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.