The Government published its own initial report on the review of the Mental Health Act 2001 Interim Report of the Steering Group on the Review of the Mental Health Act on April 27th 2012 , available to download on the MHS learning Hub on HSEland

The HSE Mental Health Act Training Group (MHATG) established in March 2009, continues to provide workable and practical solutions in addressing key themes influencing the management of risk associated with the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001. Not only has the practice context continued to change irrevocably since the introduction of the Mental Health Act 2001 at a national level but the pace and demands for responsive organisational and professional learning going forward require mental health personnel to engage in an ongoing process of learning.

ll aspects of the work of the MHATG sit within the Organisational Learning Strategy entitled Enhancing Organisational Learning in response to the Mental Health Acts 2001-2009 published in 2010.

The philosophy underpinning this strategy is primarily driven by the strategic and quality agenda at a national level, reflective of international standards and norms in response to mental health legislation and its impact on service delivery.

Members of the MHATG continue to engage in a range of activities on behalf of the mental health services to support staff in both the acquisition and application of mental health legislative knowledge in practice. Examples of activity undertaken by the MHATG in recent times include:

Certificate in the Application of Mental Health Legislation in Practice
Members of the MHATG, in collaboration with colleagues from the Regional Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, have developed a professional development programme to facilitate participants in furthering their knowledge and understanding of mental health legislation and its application to practice. This programme is a stand alone module which leads to a 10 credit Special Purpose Award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Validation with the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), Ireland, occurred following completion of a rigorous validation process. HETAC is the qualifications awarding body for third-level education and training institutions outside the university sector. It is planned that the first programme will commence in autumn 2012. Details are available from the Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

The Mental Health Hub
Development of an eLearning hub on HSELanD and four eLearning modules on aspects of Mental Health Act training are now fully accessible to all staff in mental health services. A question that should be asked of all mental health personnel in your area is “Have you been Hubbed?”. Increased profiling of the Hub has resulted in access being opened to other professional groups with responsibilities or interest in the area of mental health. The Hub provides a resource to all persons who have responsibilities in relation to mental health service delivery and the application of mental health legislation. To register on the mental health services learning hub, access www.hseland.ie and click create an account and follow registration directions.