The proposed closure of the acute psychiatric unit at St Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe is to be raised by Roscommon councillors at the upcoming meeting of Roscommon County Council.
Cllrs Ollie Moore and John Naughten are to seek an independent review of the HSE’s decision to close the 22-bed unit, and will call on councillors to support the call at their next meeting on Monday September 23.
The councillors will place a motion endorsing the call by senior clinical staff for an immediate independent review of the decision to close the acute psychiatric unit at St Brigid’s Hospital, and for the retention of the current three sites incorporating Roscommon County Hospital, St Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, and University Hospital, Galway.
Local health workers, service users, and concerned locals are planning to stage marches both in Ballinasloe and at Leinster House in the near future to protest at the decision to close the unit.
The HSE announced its decision to close the unit on July 25, as part of a reconfiguration of the Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services.
