Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I give my best wishes to Dr. Tony Holohan for his own health and all those who suffer from the coronavirus. I pay my condolences to those who have passed away as a result of the virus. I pay tribute to the front-line staff in hospitals and throughout our medical services as well as to those front-line staff who are not so recognisable in our pharmacies, supermarkets, at checkouts and those in the supply chain - in factories, drivers making deliveries, farmers and fishermen - for continuing to supply the food we eat. There is much talk of the Government and the great job it is doing but I commend the people of Ireland who are so focused on flattening the curve and abiding by the measures which Dr. Holohan has recommended be put in place. They are the people responsible for keeping the numbers of infections at bay and I thank them.

Covid-19 has the potential to take over our entire intensive care capacity and possibly our whole hospital system. While I commend the policies and recommendations which are being implemented, it cannot be at the expense of our essential services. Many suffer with other serious illnesses, such as cancer and mental health problems. We cannot allow a situation to develop where the second-line affects are more detrimental because of front-line actions. In Wexford, an election promise to open Arden House, the proposed new mental health facility, has not happened. The rooms in the current facility in Summerhill are so small it has had to close because it is unable to meet the recommended social distancing measures. It is only dealing with current patients by phone, on a 9 to 5 basis. I was called last Friday by a very distressed mother. She told me her 16 year old son had told her he wanted to kill himself. As it was out of hours, she called Caredoc and was advised to attend a hospital emergency department, but to ring ahead because of the virus. She was told by the emergency department that no one was there to deal with her son and advised her to go straight to the psychiatric unit in Waterford, but to ring ahead because of the virus. When she rang there, she was told under no circumstances was she to present with a child, they were virtually in lock down and that Wexford General Hospital had a duty of care.

She spent all night watching her son to ensure he stayed alive, which was her only option as there were no mental health services available to him. This situation is not because of Covid-19. Mental health services in Wexford have been neglected for years. Last Sunday, a beautiful 17 year old girl who died by suicide was laid to rest. Her friend who was laid to rest only a week before, and was also 17 years of age, died by suicide. Their very vulnerable friends were unable to attend the funerals to say goodbye because of Covid-19.

We are in unprecedented times, but situations where a child takes his or her own life are unprecedented for parents and families. Mental health was a major issue before the election, and is now an even bigger issue. More people's mental health is being compromised because of poor domestic situations, which have been exacerbated due to people staying home as required. This is leading to an increase in the incidence of domestic violence. Those who are worried about other life pressures, such as having no job and bills to pay, and those already in the mental health services system are also suffering.

I understand the politicians who say it is important that we take care of our mental health. It is important to go for a walk, but walks do not deal with mental health issues, self-harm or suicidal tendencies; psychiatrists do. That is why we are all listening to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, about how to handle Covid-19 and the measures that need to be implemented to stop its spread.

Today, I ask the Government to listen to Dr. Kieran Moore, a consultant paediatric psychiatrist. He said it is now a matter of urgency that the HSE set up an emergency service for children who normally attend CAMHS or other child psychiatry services and cannot now go to accident and emergency departments. He said all outpatient child psychiatry and CAMHS staff must work differently and be available on rota 24-7 by telephone to deal with patients directly as required. Mental health is like all other medical services; it cannot be shut down. We do not need an increase in deaths due to other illnesses because of Covid-19.

I am here today because I cannot get answers to these questions. The lack of accountability leads to a denial of citizens' rights. I should point out that we are following all of the recommendations and are not putting our health or that of anyone else at risk.

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