Lack of staff ‘will halt psychiatric patient reviews for tribunals’

Eddie Cassidy

They have strongly disputed claims by Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney that a lack of co-operation by consultants prevented the setting up of the tribunals.

Ms Harney has said the services of at least 50 consultants will be required to ensure the workings of the tribunals, which will review involuntary admissions within 21 days.

There are about 600 outstanding cases involving people believed to have been wrongly detained.

The plight of such people was highlighted last month when a Dublin man was awarded E2.2 million compensation in the High Court.

However, the Health Department emphasised the tribunals will primarily assess the suitability of the patients in psychiatric care.

“It’s not a compensation issue,” said a spokesman.

The Tánaiste told the Dáil last week that tribunals had not been established as consultants were not prepared to participate.

However, Donal Duffy, assistant general secretary of the Irish Hospitals Consultants Association, insisted: “The psychiatric service is a grossly under-funded sector. Our members, despite what the minister claims, cannot swan off and ignore their patients.”

Ms Harney is expected within the week to sign regulations making provision for the setting up of tribunals.