The Chairman of the Mental Health Commission has called for a change in the way patients suffering from mental illnesses are treated.
Dr John Owens, speaking ahead of the launch of the Commission's Strategic Plan, said that a move towards community and home based care and away from hospital treatment is needed.
Dr Owens said that this move would require extra funding from the Government. At the moment only 6.8% of the overall health budget goes towards mental illness services.
However, he said he was satisfied that there are already resources at the commission's disposal due to the existence of old mental hospitals.
