Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I have one very brief question that relates to attendance at accident and emergency units. I know because there are people in my constituency who have come to my office because they have had to bring a loved one to an accident and emergency department. The person does not have a physical ailment but he or she literally has nowhere else to go so the only door that is open to him or her is the accident and emergency door. It is the last place these people want to be. Could the witnesses talk about the impact of this? As a former trade union official, I represented nurses, many of whom were in accident and emergency departments, and I know the impact it has on staff. These are people who want to do their best but might not have the training to cope with a person who is experiencing mental health distress and who finds himself or herself in an accident and emergency unit. Could the witnesses describe the impact on the individual? I know the impact on staff members is horrendous but the witnesses might be able to describe the impact on a person who has to go to an accident and emergency unit. What happens to the person after he or she presents at an accident and emergency department, which we all agree is the last place the person wants to be and the last place he or she should be but in some instances, is the only place where he or she finds an open door?