St Senan’s sale money not being used for local mental health services – Browne
WHILE it was outlined under the ‘Vision for Change’ that all money from the sale of old HSE owned Victorian buildings should be pumped directly into the provision of mental health services, Wexford has yet to see any improvement following the sale of St Senan’s Hospital.
The landmark building, which was put on the market with a guide price of €780,000, was purchased by a consortium of local businessmen headed up by Bree man Eamonn Galavan towards the end of last year with the intention of turning the building into high-end apartments.
While Ireland’s mental health strategy document ‘A Vision for Change’ outlines that all of the proceeds should be pumped into mental health services, it appears that none of the money from the St Senan’s sale has been spent in the South East.
When St Senan’s closed back in 2013, a total of 31 acute mental health beds went with it, meaning that the people of Wexford now have to depend on 44 beds in Waterford, which are already the subject of huge demand, and five beds in Wicklow that serve North Wexford.
This means that while the South East had access to 75 beds prior to the St Senan’s closure, there are now only 49 despite an escalating crisis.
While there is a 10 to 12 bed unit at St John’s in Enniscorthy, these are respite, medium term beds that are used by patients for a few weeks at a time and are not the acute beds which are sorely needed.
Fianna Fáil spokesperson for mental health James Browne raised the issue of the reinvestment of money from the sale of St Senan’s within Wexford with Minister for Health Simon Harris and the response he received was somewhat disheartening.
‘I understand new replacement accommodation has already been delivered for all the mental health care services provided from St Senan’s and the delivery of health services has been discontinued at the St Senan’s site,’ the Minister replied.
‘ The use of the sales proceeds from the disposal of St. Senan’s will be subject to sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It would be intended that the proceeds of the sale of this property will be invested in much needed mental health facilities in addition to the very significant Exchequer funding required to maintain and improve health infrastructure.’
Deputy Browne was perplexed by the answer and said that it seems from the Minister’s answer that he believes the current level of mental health services being offered in the South East are adequate and the St Senan’s money will be spent elsewhere.
‘He’s in cloud cuckoo land,’ blasted Deputy Browne. ‘He’s basically saying that all the services that St Senan’s provided for the South East are now being provided elsewhere. Basic maths would tell you that we are down beds. How can he say everything is replaced? I think the Minister needs to come to Wexford and see the situation for himself. If he thinks people are getting the level of service they need, he’s delusional.’
MINISTER HARRIS IS IN CLOUD CUCKOO LAND. HE NEEDS TO COME TO WEXFORD TO SEE THE SITUATION HIMSELF – JAMES BROWNE TD