Dr. Amir Niazi:

Regarding the recommencement of services, as I said earlier, our acute units continue to function 24-7. Our 24-hour residences are open, with limitations placed on visits. The services which were impacted were day centres, day hospitals, group therapies and group activities. They are gradually starting again, with social distancing and following all the guidelines from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC.

Covid-19 has impacted the mental health of the public, not just mental health service users, and the public requires the help of mental health services. The HSE has worked very hard to address the psychosocial and mental health needs of the public. We are targeting carers, families and staff members who were impacted by Covid-19. A comprehensive national plan is being rolled out to serve the public, staff and carers.

We are recommencing secondary mental health services slowly and gradually, in keeping with the guidelines from the Institute of Public Health and the HPSC. Our success in controlling the virus will guide us in how we restart.