Lack of Defence Forces’ psychiatrist criticised

THERE is significant disappointment within the Defence Forces that no psychiatrist has yet been appointed, Fianna Fáil Deputy James Browne told the Dáil. He was reacting to comments by fellow Wexford TD and Defence Minister Paul Kehoe who said a direct entrant competition for the position of military psychiatrist was launched on July 26, 2018, and closed on September 30. No applications were received for this competition.

‘Defence Forces members are under significant mental strain,’ said Deputy Browne. ‘They operate in strenuous circumstances, often in dangerous environments. Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is common among soldiers. It is treatable but requires early intervention. The availability of a psychiatrist to soldiers at the earliest point is of critical importance. The current low staffing levels place additional strain on members of the Defence Forces.’

Minister Kehoe replied that further options have been under consideration as to how to proceed.

‘In this regard, I have recently given approval for my Department to conduct a competition for a contracted civilian psychiatrist,’ he said. ‘It should, however, be noted that there is a nationwide shortage of trained psychiatrists. The difficulty with recruitment for such a position is not unique to the Defence Forces.’

‘Currently, patients presenting to Defence Forces primary carers - medical officers or contracted civilian GPs - with a requirement for urgent psychiatric assessment are referred to HSE emergency departments,’ he said.

‘They are then assessed by the duty on-call psychiatric staff who triage referrals. These patients will either be admitted for inpatient care or referred onward to HSE outpatient psychiatric services, where appropriate.’