Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

When I got this job I had the same view as the Deputy in regard to how people in crisis access the services. I was of the opinion that a person should not go through an accident and emergency department but because of the difficulties in regard to self-harm and possible self-harming, the accident and emergency department is the appropriate place, and I am convinced of that now, but the service would also include the suicide assessment nurse-led team. People who have a difficulty with their mental health and are in crisis would be assessed both for their mental health and for their physical well-being. I will make further inquiries on foot of the Deputy's parliamentary question. I am setting up a new group to examine what is beyond A Vision for Change and if it reports back to me with a recommendation that we should have an acute unit in every single town, I will take a serious look at that but as of now I am not convinced of that.

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