Treatment should be based on medical evidence not ‘political considerations’

Lucinda Creighton

Psychiatrists opposed to the suicide clause in the abortion legislation have appealed to wavering TDs and to Ministers to look at the evidence-based research.

At a press conference in Dublin yesterday three psychiatrists voiced their support for a proposed amendment, by Minister of State Lucinda Creighton, to the clause in the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, to provide a treatment programme instead.

Ms Creighton proposed a care pathway for women presenting as suicidal, including focused therapy at home, if they were still expressing suicidal thoughts after a number of assessments.

Medical evidence Donegal-based psychiatrist Dr Eleanor Corcoran said treatment should be based on medical evidence and not on political considerations.

Minister Creightons amendment is consistent with all the evidence that we have from international research of what is effective from women who are in a very vulnerable state and who are suffering with depression, she said. We would hope that the other TDs and Ministers would look at whats in the best interests of women and look at the scientific research.

Dr Bernie McCabe of the HSE Louth-Meath mental health service said: Our concern is about the lack of consideration of evidence in relation to the development of this legislation.

She said the Ministers proposed amendment was largely in line with recommendations by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and in accordance with best practice.

The clinical care pathway is largely in line with what is going on in the country anyway as instituted by the Government through the HSE, she said.

Dr Amir Niazi, also of the HSE Louth-Meath mental health service, said it was working on three clinical care programmes nationally.

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Treatment should be based on medical evidence not ‘political considerations’