Cork's Dual Diagnosis Service Set to Support 150 Individuals in Year One

Cork, Ireland – A groundbreaking service aimed at addressing the intertwined issues of addiction and mental health is on track to assist 150 individuals in its inaugural year. Established in July 2024, this dual diagnosis service is the first of its kind in the country, with teams operating in both Cork and Limerick. According to a spokesperson from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Cork team, based in Blackpool, has successfully engaged a significant number of individuals in need, with expectations to see its 150th patient soon.

The HSE's dual diagnosis initiative focuses on providing integrated care for individuals suffering from both mental health disorders and substance use disorders. This service aims to fill a critical gap in existing healthcare frameworks, where patients with co-occurring conditions often find themselves caught between services, receiving inadequate support. David Lane, HSE South West General Manager of Social Inclusion, emphasized the necessity of this service, stating, “We’ve been working hard on this for 10 years. Within addiction services, we’ve had some programmes for people with milder mental health problems, but we lacked the clinical input to treat more severe cases like people who are bipolar or schizophrenic.”

Lane noted that historically, individuals with severe mental health issues were often turned away from addiction services, and vice versa, creating a cycle of inadequate care. “You were just batting people back and forth — we needed this joined-up approach to delivering care,” he added.

The Cork dual diagnosis service is managed by a multidisciplinary team that includes psychology, addiction counselling, social work, and occupational therapy. The team is currently 85% staffed, with ongoing recruitment to fill remaining positions, including that of a senior addiction counsellor. Early engagement data suggests that 80% of individuals referred to the service have attended their appointments, indicating a strong uptake of the service.

Liam Quaide, Social Democrats TD for Cork East and a former clinical psychologist, praised the initiative, stating, “It’s encouraging to hear that the HSE’s dual diagnosis team is up and running in Cork. From my experience as a psychologist, people with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues can fall through the cracks of existing services, often with very poor outcomes.”

The demand for this service has been significant, and Lane expressed hope for its expansion to reach more geographical areas and even adolescents in the future. “I’m happy with the progress of the project and hopeful additional resources will come, because there’s still an awful lot of work to be done,” he remarked.

The establishment of the dual diagnosis service marks a pivotal moment in Ireland’s approach to integrated health care. As health authorities continue to address the complexities of mental health and addiction, the success of this initiative may serve as a model for future services across the nation. The implications of this program extend beyond individual treatment, potentially reshaping the landscape of mental health and addiction services in Ireland, thereby improving outcomes for many vulnerable individuals.