Kildare psychiatric patients in funding black spot

MENTALLY ill patients in Kildare receive the lowest per capita funding in the country, 13 times less than those using a Dublin-based service.

The spending per head in Co Kildare in 2003 was just €37.97, compared to €495.47 in the St Brendan's Hospital area of Dublin.

In addition, areas of high poverty which have the highest rates of psychiatric disorders and the greatest need for services are the least likely to be well-resourced, according to a report by the Irish Psychiatric Association (IPA), published today.