Madam, - There have been many fully deserved plaudits given to the late Dr Anthony Clare. They have mostly come from well-known people in the media, publishing and medical fields, where he was very successful. I think it is only right that he should also be remembered by those who, apart from his family, will miss him most of all - his patients.
In my particular case, very briefly, I suffered a severe bout of depression in 1999 and for the first time in my life, needed the services of the psychiatric services in Ireland. It was an eye-opening experience. I was amazed and all the more depressed by the lack of interest and empathy shown to me and to patients in general - until I drifted into the care of Dr Clare. He actually listened to me and he was practical, empathetic and a humble man. He showed interest, let me see that there was hope and that he cared. He was a breath of fresh air and thanks to him, I recovered. A measure of the man was that he refused to take any credit for my recovery.
I have spoken to other patients of his and there are so many similar positive results. On behalf of all his patients, I would like to say Thank you, Dr Clare. You were there when we needed you, you listened to us and helped us all more than you ever knew. We will all miss you very much. - Yours, etc,
PAT KENNEDY,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.