Consultants ‘to blame for mental illness crisis’

THE Tánaiste has blamed consultants for the Government’s failure to meet international obligations for care of the mentally ill.

Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday, Health Minister Mary Harney said: “It’s the usual story - give us more, give us more money, give us more resources.”

She was referring to the consultants’ reluctance to participate in mental health tribunals, which, when established, will review the cases of people detained involuntarily in psychiatric hospitals.