Madam, - I read in your Letters page of April 14th that psychiatric services are not available to suicidal people or people with acute mental health problems. This is far from the truth. In fact all psychiatric services in the country have a 24-hour, seven-day psychiatric team in place which can be accessed by the public normally via the A&E department. In my own service the team comprises a psychiatric nurse, a junior doctor and a consultant also available for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
I would be grateful if you would publish this letter as I am concerned that people with acute mental health problems may feel that expert help is available only during "office hours" when in fact the reverse is the case. - Yours, etc,
Dr PETER KIRWAN, Clinical Director, Department of Psychiatry, Limerick Regional Hospital.