Campaign to restore acute psychiatric unit
NOW is the time for Wexford to seek a full-time psychiatric unit in the county once again with facilities at Waterford University Hospital due to be downgraded following a Medical Health Commission report which described them as unsafe.
Wexford councillors unanimously agreed that Wexford must lobby for an acute psychiatric centre on its own doorstep, several years after the closure of St. Senan’s Hospital and a HSE promise that adequate regional took her own life there after facilities would be provided in Christmas. I’d say this is what Waterford. is after happening. Whether
In a shocking development, it’s a shortage of staff or what I the Mental Health Commission don’t know.’ has decided to cut the number He said mental health had of acute psychiatric beds in been cast adrift and those who Waterford Hospital from 14 to complained were not listened six after initially considering to to. ‘ The services are not there. refuse to register the centre at We have to try and get as many all because the unit is unsafe people as possible involved in for 14 residents. this. The HSE are a law onto
Cllr. George Lawlor asked themselves. It’s outrageous that to suspend standing orders at they would even consider such a Wexford Borough District a thing when we have one of meeting to discuss the issue the highest rates of suicide in which he said was of the utmost the country.’ importance. Cllr. Deirdre Wadding (People
‘As we all know, 14 beds were Before Profit) described not sufficient to meet the needs it as ‘ literally a life or death of the region in the first place,’ situation’ and said she recently he said. lost a friend to suicide. He
The Labour councillor said had been down in Waterford Wexford now has a ‘compelling receiving treatment after suffering argument’ to site an acute unit a psychotic breakdown. in the grounds of Wexford General He was a danger to himself and Hospital. his family. If he had not been
Cllr. David Hynes (Independent) able to go down there.. if that said the ‘professionals’ facility closes down there will decided we should close St. Senan’s be numerous tragedies.’ and go to Waterford. Now ‘If we don’t do our utmost to the same professionals have stop it, we will be sitting here decided it’s not fit for purpose. passing votes of sympathy and
‘Unfortunately, a young woman going to funerals,’ said Cllr. Wadding.
‘We need a 24-hour facility for Wexford itself. We can’t rely on Waterford. It’s not good enough,’ she added.
Cllr. Ger Carthy (Independent) said are the HSE is known for wanting to be in charge of everything and responsible for nothing. People in Wexford have had to set up voluntary organisations to help people. ‘We can’t take anymore in Wexford. If you walked a mile in my shoes and saw the effects of suicide and the traumatic problems it brings to families.’
Cllr. Anthony Kelly described the HSE as ‘a heartless crowd of people’ and urged the county’s TD’s to fight for better mental health services.
Cllr. Tony Dempsey (Fianna Fail) recalled that in 2003, the Department of Health had a proposal to site an acute psychiatric unit beside Wexford General Hospital. ‘I don’t know what happened to that. There should be an acute psychiatric unit attached to all general hospitals.’
The Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. Frank Staples (Fine Gael) offered to head up a lobbying alliance but said it needed to be non-political.
Cllr. Lawlor asked that he and the chairman of Wexford County Council write an urgent letter to the Mental Health Commission before the deadline of February 24, opposing the reduction of beds in the Waterford psychiatric unit .
‘I can appreciate that the Mental Health Commission is concerned that the unit is not fit for purpose. The response should not be slashing beds but providing an alternative.’