Madam, - Psychiatrist Michael Corry (July 26th) reminds us that the root cause of the Dickensian conditions in our mental health services is an insensitive management culture which actively discourages front-line care professionals from becoming advocates for their patients. Indeed, it is worth remembering that the current Minister for Health not long ago said "systemic maladministration" was apparent in what must be one of the state's most vital services.
Unfortunately, this corrosive and insensitive management culture pervades all of our health, social and homeless services. We have direct experience of this in defending those who find themselves homeless on our streets.
Root-and-branch reform is not possible unless we change the management philosophy which makes those who speak out in defence of the outsider, and society's most vulnerable, feel like outsiders themselves. Ironically, only front-line care professionals can probably make that happen by speaking out as one voice and not leaving the burden to lone voices that can be quickly isolated.
In the meantime, everyone in a front-line caring role should not hesitate to support those who take the considerable risk of speaking out. Conditions like those outlined in the annual report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services, as Michael Corry rightly asserts, demand an "outcry so loud" that it shames everyone involved at every level that they have been derelict in their responsibilities. - Yours, etc,
ALICE LEAHY,
Director and Co-Founder,
TRUST,
Bride Road,
Dublin 8.
Madam, - As a former user of the psychiatric system, I found reading Michael Corry's letter of July 26th like a breath of fresh air. He speaks the truth with passion and conviction. He is one who is prepared to stand up and be counted.
This system hurt and crucified me for 20 years but reading what Dr Corry so bravely writes in public is very helpful for my "soul healing". He is a true psychiatrist in every sense of the word. Thank you, Dr Corry, from me and I am sure from everyone who has touched this dark world. - Yours, etc,
MARY MADDOCK,
Mindfreedom Ireland,
Slí Eile, Rochestown,
Cork.