Ms Sinéad McGee:

Yes. I believe more needs to be put into the primary centres to prevent parents and children having to endure the trauma of accident and emergency departments and so that they do not have to wait weeks or months to access services. If a child is taken to see a GP and is determined to be in difficulty he or she should get an appointment straight away rather than having to wait months for it. This is important to a child who is feeling low and also his or her main care-giver. When my daughter was ill, I kept my head above water and tried to remain brave and strong but it broke my heart that she was on a waiting list for treatment. Access to quick treatment and help and support, including for parents to empower them to help their children, is key. It will help to keep young people out of accident and emergency departments.

I also believe that a young person should never be put into an adult psychiatric ward. Having to bring my daughter who is 17 years old to the accident and emergency department of an adult hospital was disgusting. It was so unfair. These children are so vulnerable. Consideration should be given to Temple Street being responsible for children up to 18 years of age. This would ensure they are treated in a protective environment. I agree that there is a need for the introduction of a young adults mental health service because up to 25 people are still going through a transition. They could be trying to settle into college or a new job but they are still trying to discover who they are. While the adult mental health service is excellent, these people find it difficult to engage with a service that caters for people aged 30 years upwards. It is a very different environment. We are supposed to be helping young people to live their lives as best they can.