Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

Subsection 7(6) states that a care needs assessment of a person shall comprise an evaluation of a list of several aspects of a person's needs. The list consists of physical needs. The subsection refers to the provision of "medical, health and personal social services" but I cannot see a mention of mental health. As my colleague has said, we must be concerned with the whole person and not merely with his or her physical needs. While I do not wish to be patronising, psychiatric illness among the elderly is a serious issue. Senator Mary White will agree that there has been a huge increase in suicide among the elderly. Psychiatric services should be part of the multidisciplinary approach.