Uncertainty over future of mental health care in Meath

SPECIFIC questions put to the Health Service Executive this week about the future of mental health services in the four counties in the North East have largely gone unanswered. Sources told the Meath Chronicle that psychiatric acute admission units in Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan hospitals were to be closed by 2012 and redirected to a new unit in Drogheda. The sources said that this would result in "extreme bed losses", leaving less than 60 beds for the four counties. Meath alone has 24 beds in the mental health unit in Navan. The HSE was asked to outline the proposed changes but failed to do so. It also did not answer when asked for the number of beds in each of the existing mental health units, nor whether these would be rationalised into a total of 60 beds for the four counties. The HSE responded by stating that the document 'A Vision for Change' set out a 10-year programme of investments in, and modernisation of mental health services. It set out to deliver a comprehensive mental health service which is fully integrated into its host community and offers services at the earliest opportunity, within primary care, by comprehensive community-based teams and in more modern purpose-built inpatient facilities. "'A Vision for Change' enjoys the universal support of clinicians, service users, staff representatives and voluntary agencies in mental health and its full implementation is endorsed by the Health Service Executive," the HSE said. "The current model of dare is largely institutional based, and there are some 15 Victorian and older asylums still in use. It is intended that these hospitals will close at the earliest possible date and patients transferred to more appropriate accommodation. However, no closure date will be agreed until alternative facilities and appropriate accommodation, care and services are in place. These patients deserve nothing less," it added. The HSE said that priorities identified for the Dublin North East Region in 2010 included transferring acute admissions from St Brendan's Hospital to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; a new acute unit at Beaumont Hospital to facilitate transfer of all acute admissions from St Ita's Hospital, Portrane, and planning for a replacement acute admission unit in Co Louth. A multi-disciplinary project group has been set up to develop a schedule of accommodation for this new purpose built unit in Louth. "As community based teams and purpose built inpatient facilities replace the large institutions, it is envisaged that staff will be redeployed to these new facilities to care for patients in more appropriate settings," the HSE added. Sinn Fein Cllr Joe Reilly said that if the reports about the mental health services were correct it would be "another major blow to Our Lady's Hospital by the policies of this FF/Green Government". "The proposed extreme bed reduction to 60 beds for the four counties can only result in the partial or total collapse of acute psychiatric services in Meath. "The loss of 24 beds in Our Lady's Hospital and the proposed reduction in services is nothing short of disaster for patients,staff and our community. I call on Minister Dempsey to intervene immediately with the Minister of Health and stop this ludicrous plan."