50 bed Mental Health Unit confirmed for Waterford

A new 50 bed Adult Acute Mental Health Unit on a greenfield site has been confirmed for Waterford. Announcing the news, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD said inclusion of this major health project envisaged for Waterford and the South East has now been confirmed within the Capital Plan 2021.

According to the Minister, a detailed design on the project is expected by the end of the year.

“I visited the Department of Psychiatry at UHW (University Hospital Waterford) earlier this year and was encouraged to see the significant changes and improvements made since the previous Mental Health Commission report.

“At a subsequent meeting of Oireachtas members from Waterford with Hospital management, it was announced that a pre-tender cost report for a new green field Acute Mental Health Unit was being undertaken with a detailed design expected by year end 2021,” Minister Butler said.

Arising from this meeting, the Minister noted that it was clear that capital funding would have to be secured to make the project a reality.

“As Minister with responsibility for Mental Health, I worked closely with Minister Donnelly and Department officials in respect of this. I am delighted that hard work paid off and the new build is now included in the capital plan for 2021,” Minister Butler added.

The Minister went on to note capacity issues faced since the amalgamation of Waterford and Wexford psychiatric services in 2012 with the closure of St Senan’s in Enniscorthy. She also noted the service level agreement in place with St Patrick’s in Dublin to support bed capacity and help alleviate some of the issues currently faced with regards capacity.

“This is very welcome progress and I am delighted to have secured this vital new build as Minister for Mental Health and Older People,” Minister Butler concluded.