He may have decided to step down as medical director at St Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin, but Prof Anthony Clare looks set to retain his status as the State's only celebrity medic. I am not stepping down until the end of next year and even then I will remain on as a consultant in the hospital. He has been at the helm of St Patrick's Hospital since 1989 and took the post on the understanding that it would be for a fixed term and not until retirement. It is thought the post will be openly advertised for the first time towards the end of this year. Today he claims the cost of a bed in the hospital, taking into account drugs and consultant care, is cheaper than a room in the Conrad Hotel.
People are more willing to identify distress and disturbance now.
Another development has been the psychiatric consequences of the boom. He will enjoy having more time to relax.