Dr. Margaret O?Riordan:

In response to Deputy Mattie McGrath, I made it quite clear in my opening statement that the ICGP supports guidelines to implement this legislation. In response to Deputy Naughten, the ICGP holds that there is a need for more resourcing for perinatal psychiatry. This is in the context of women suffering from mental health disorders when they are pregnant, not just in the context of the heads of this Bill. On the need for earlier referrals, GPs generally refer pregnant women as soon as they present. As Professor McAuliffe has explained, on receiving that letter women usually get an appointment when they are between 16 and 20 weeks or 15 and 18 weeks pregnant, depending on where they are in the country. If there is a need for a woman to be seen sooner we will of course put that in the referral letter and she will be prioritised on that basis.