LONG WAIT IS FINALLY OVER AS ARDEN HOUSE OPENS ITS DOORS
THE HEAD OF SERVICE FOR MENTAL HEALTH THANKS SERVICE USERS AND STAFF FOR THEIR PATIENCE DURING DELAYS IN RELOCATION
The Wexford Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has made the long-awaited transfer to a new premises at Arden House in Whitemill.
Arden House was first earmarked to be the new home of CAMHS two years ago but there were delays in finalising the move, with Covid-19 restrictions presenting further challenges in recent weeks.
The South Wexford CAMHS team of HSE South East Community
Healthcare was previously based in Slaney House on the Newtown Road, a premises described as ‘completely unfit for purpose’ by Dr Kieran Moore before he resigned as consultant child psychiatrist in Wexford in 2018, stating conditions within the service were causing burnout among staff.
‘I’d like to thank those we serve for sticking with us over the last while, as we awaited a move to new premises in Wexford town’, said South East Community Healthcare’s Head of Service for Mental
Health, David Heffernan, as he welcomed the relocation of the service.
‘We have outstanding staff working in the area of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in County Wexford, notwithstanding that available resources has been a challenge.
‘In recent weeks, the effects of Covid 19 pandemic restrictions delayed the completion of a snag list at Arden House and other arrangements pertaining to transfer of staff. The fact that we have been able to complete the move at such a difficult time is a tribute to everyone involved.
‘With our priority for the welfare of clients and their families in mind, there’s no doubt that the modern surrounds of Arden House will be more conducive to the specialist work our staff engage in and I look forward to the new accommodation being of benefit to everyone looking to the CAMHS service in the South Wexford area’, said Mr Heffernan.
There are two CAMHS teams serving County Wexford, one based in Enniscorthy (for North
Wexford) and the Wexford town team for South Wexford. Both teams include NCHDs (Junior Doctors), Psychologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Social Workers,
Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and administrative staff.
The North Wexford team includes a Consultant Child and
Adolescent Psychiatrist.
According to the HSE, there is also a permanent psychiatrist’s post in the South Wexford team, which is currently being filled on a temporary contract basis, pending the completion of a permanent appointment, and arrangements are in place for emergency weekend psychiatry cover for the services in Wexford.
Welcoming the opening of Arden House, the Fianna Fail spokesman on Mental Health, James Browne said he was delighted for the families who use the service and campaigned for its opening. ‘We’ve had a lot of false dawns and false hopes over the years. It’s wonderful to see it finally happening’.