Dr. Sinead O'Brien:

The focus of national policy - it is not just my view - is to support people to live as independently as possible and to promote people being able to live in the community. The national clinical programme for early intervention in psychosis has been piloted in a number of areas, including in Cork, and it has been clearly demonstrated that with early intervention, this can lead to functional and overall recovery. Investment in these areas is absolutely the way forward and can lead to people living absolutely full lives. The early intervention in psychosis service is being rolled out in east Cork and people are being supported in a very timely way with the home-based treatment team. Again, they can be seen on a seven-day basis, which is most welcome. We are all aware that services need to respond to people on a seven-day basis and not just a five-day basis.