Mental Health Policy in Northern Ireland
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11196846 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Pauline M Prior (United States Department of the Interior, corresponding author), PAULINE PRIOR |
| Year | 1993 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 323-334 |
| Publication date | 1993-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Policy and Administration (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0144-5596 • E-ISSN: 1467-9515 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9515.1993.tb00548.x |
| OpenAlex | W2137552156 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 2 |
Mental health policy in Northern Ireland has moved through a number of phases during the past seventy years. This article examines some of the developments during each of these phases in the context of political factors which had an effect on policy formation and implementation. The services which existed in 1921 were deeply rooted in the lunacy legislation and provision of nineteenth century Ireland. The political uncertainty and financial stringency, which characterized the following two decades, resulted in a situation of almost complete stagnation in those services. The contribution of Northern Ireland during the Second World War guaranteed a financial commitment by Britain to the building of a comprehensive health service in the post‐war era. The expansion in mental health services was unprecedented. The relative stability of this era was shattered by the political “troubles” of the 1970s and the imposition of “direct rule” from Westminster. Though advantageous to health service development at first, this has now led to tighter central controls and the further loss of local autonomy. In policies dictated from Westminster, Area Boards moved towards a reduction in psychiatric beds to 1,500—the level of provision in 1870. History tells us that the needs of mentally ill people have not had a significant impact on services in the past. Will the future be any different
Archaeology · Autonomy · Context (archaeology · Economic growth · Economics · Economy · Legislation · Mental health · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Psychiatry · Service (business · Sociology · World War II · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · History · Irish and British Studies · Law · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Public Administration
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,16 |
| Citation span | 1995 - 2025 (31) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |