Psychiatrist Dr Tanveer Ahmed is too diplomatic as he politely makes excuses for the closure of psychiatric hospitals across NSW. (“How many tragedies”, DT, 29/10). He correctly highlights the disasters linked to this action, including the loss of shelter, companionship and social stability. Today, after many sad examples of homicides linked to anti-social, psychiatric violence, these previous money-saving government decisions must be urgently reviewed. Our mental health management is best described as deinstitutionalised, underfunded and short of psychiatrists, with patients homeless on our cruel streets and families unable to effectively intervene when their loved ones are going off the rails. Premier Chris Minns and his government should convene an urgent conference of legal and medical experts to widely debate these issues and correct errors within the 1983 Richmond Report. Thank you Dr Ahmed for your courageous comments. Alan Sexton, Parramatta 30thOctober2026
