While discussing the development of the health sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that the Government is looking to have one or two psychiatrists on special contracts.
The Prime Minister, who was the time speaking on the Issue At Hand program, said that this would lead to the Government paying more than was set out in the budget line.
He said that the lack of psychiatric professionals not only negatively affects the field of psychiatry but also puts significant dent in criminal justice.
“We are seeking to recruit, but it’s difficult to get. I’ve concluded that we have to get a psychiatrist or two on special contract, and we just have to pay them more than what is in the budget line.
Because that doesn’t only affect the psychiatry program, but it also affects criminal justice. You get the point in terms of assessments of persons. Somebody has to, you have to get a report as to the state of a person’s mental health. Somebody mounts a defense of insanity to a criminal offense, generally, or monks a defense of diminished responsibility in relation to murder, which would reduce it to manslaughter, you need a particular psychiatric evaluation.” He said.
Prime Minister Gonsalves also noted that the option of psychiatrists providing their services virtually is being considered.