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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Roscommon mental health services

Summary

Senator Hopkins demanded clarity on current and future mental health services in County Roscommon and accused the HSE of presenting one position publicly while doing another on the ground.

I raise the issue of mental health services in County Roscommon. Those who use mental health services in Roscommon, their families and the staff must be provided with the facts about the current and future provision of services in the county. I have listened to a wide range of individuals in the past few days who are involved in mental health services throughout the county. They have all been clear and definite in their view that the HSE is implementing a different agenda on the ground from that which it states publicly. What is clear is that the statements from the HSE and the experiences of people within the mental health services do not match. I have spoken at length to the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, Deputy Helen McEntee, and the chief officer of community services. Both have advised me that there are no active plans to close the various day centres and hostels mentioned, namely, those in Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Strokestown, Castlerea and Athleague. The HSE has also informed me that there are no plans to close the community nursing unit in Áras Naomh Chaolain or relocate residents to private nursing homes. I have been advised that the HSE is consulting residents, families and staff in one setting from which patients are being transferred to a more appropriate one. That is an ongoing process. I want to make it very clear that this information has been provided by the HSE for me in writing. The difficulty is that there is an obvious difference between what people are saying to me and what the HSE has stated. I want to know the truth. I also want the external report on mental health services in County Roscommon to be finalised and made available as quickly as possible. I expect the report to identify challenges and weaknesses within services and an action plan to support and bring about improvements for those who need to use mental health services and their families. I ask the Minister of State to address us on the issue as quickly as possible.

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