Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can debate the recruitment and retention challenges all day long. They are a matter of fact, they exist, so what do we do? They are experienced worldwide and the same acute shortages exist in the Americas and Australia in all health areas but particularly in mental health. Telepsychology could be therapies delivered online. Mental health is unique in that many of the solutions to it can be delivered online whereas it is not possible to take out somebody's appendix online. There are opportunities to be considered. Other countries are embracing and using these opportunities where there is a shortage of manpower. For clinical governance purposes does a psychiatrist have to be in the room with the CAMHS team? They can speak to each other, which is peer-to-peer telepsychiatry.

We envisage it being done in supported atmospheres, such as primary care centres where nursing and medical staff would be available, as opposed to someone picking up an iPad at home and accessing a telepsychiatry service. We have not yet reached that stage. We are hoping to provide all levels of intervention - primary, secondary and tertiary - in a supported environment. Telepsychiatry, which is at the upper level of service, is provided in many countries. To progress plans for a service here, we will have a conference in September for clinicians, service users, that is, patients or clients, and people with an interest in the area of mental health such as members of this committee. This will elaborate on the plans in this area, seek to secure buy-in from those who will deliver the service and get their feedback and views. While I do not have a monopoly of wisdom in this area, telepsychiatry has the potential to radically revolutionise the service and address the old chestnut of the lack of availability of specialists by making much more efficient use of the services we have.