VHI leaves mentally ill to foot the bill

MENTALLY-ILL patients will not have counselling or other non-doctor services paid for by their Voluntary Health Insurance, Health Minister Mary Harney admitted yesterday.

Her remarks come a day after an international study found drugs may be ineffective in treating depression, prompting healthcare professionals to call for funding for alternative forms of treatment.

Ms Harney said the VHI Amendment Bill, agreed by the cross-party Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday, only allows cover for hospital stays and doctor fees.