The Minister with responsibility for mental health, Kathleen Lynch, has failed to provide any reassurance that the planned downgrading of mental health services in Mayo will not proceed by the end of February, according to Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary, who raised the issue in the Dáil this week stating that these units are “an essential part of the health services in Mayo”.
“In the case of Teach Aisling, the irony is it is being used by the HSE as a prototype of how services should be delivered. If the health authorities recognise just how good the facility is, how can they justify shutting it down? St Joseph’s in Ballina has 10 nurses attached and is currently serving 60 service users. It provides in-care treatment and provides 24-hour nursing care to individuals with chronic mental illness. It also supports those in the community with medication and advice.
“It is a great disappointment that Minister Lynch cannot provide any reassurance about the future of these two facilities. I have invited the Minister to visit Mayo herself to see first-hand the critical service they provide. An extra €35 million and an additional 400 posts will be provided in the mental health services nationally in 2012-surely Mayo is entitled to its share of this.”
Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane said: “In Mayo, there is severe pressure on the provision of mental health services, with Teach Aisling in Castlebar and St Joseph’s District Hospital, Ballina, earmarked for closure under HSE cost-cutting measures. This is really distressing for service users and their families. Staff shortages are impacting hugely on the provision of services, reduction in bed numbers, and the quality of patient care.
"Patients need access to safe, appropriate, and quality services and staff must be supported to ensure these are provided. Staff shortages and cost-saving measures must not force admissions into acute pyschiatric units. Closing down units where people can be supported in a community setting is regressive and not acceptable,” she said.
