This document is a proposal to the Health Service Executive Mental Health Division to develop a lifespan-based national clinical neuropsychiatry service. It is also intended to provide a reference to other HSE divisions and National Clinical Programmes requiring neuropsychiatry. These include Neurology, Neurosurgery, Paediatrics and Neonatology, and Neuro-rehabilitation. Currently, there are three National Clinical Programmes in development: The National Clinical Programme of Neurology, The National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicine and The National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology. All will require the development of Neuropsychiatry to deliver a fit for purpose model of care.
This document addresses the requirements for neuropsychiatry as defined by level of clinical need and age group and regional provision. The document is the work of a cross-faculty CPsychI Working Group looking at care for children and adults and represents the consensus of this Working Group. This document is based on the evidence and policy referenced below.