A&E service reform urged for suicide bid patients

Patients suffering as a result of self-harm or suicide attempts should be provided with an alternative access to hospital than the general Accident and Emergency system.

The proposal was made by Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin during a Dáil debate on mental health services which Health Minister James Reilly admitted have suffered as a result of spending cuts.

Mr Ó Caoláin said the experience of mentally distressed people in the A&E ward is “totally unacceptable”.