Psychiatrists are being asked to be judges in assessing suicide risk, abortion hearings told

Consultant perinatal psychiatrist Dr John Sheehan told TDs and Senators that “psychiatrists are doctors not judges”. He said that under section 4 of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, “psychiatrists are being asked to determine if there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother in order that the mother may procure a termination”.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Seán O’Domhnaill warned that the legislation would turn doctors into abortionists. Abortion has no role in modern medicine he said and termination was a mediaeval response to crisis pregnancies.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Jacqueline Montwill said “we do not need this legislation”. She said the appropriate treatment for any suicidal patient was to ensure their safety either at home or in hospital, to offer psychological support and counselling and psychotropic medication.

Dr Bernie McCabe, consultant psychiatrist at Navan hospital said suicide could not be predicted even in those with mental illness. No research “has been carried out on those who are suicidal simply due to the pregnancy. Yet the Government is proceeding as if such evidence exists.”