Dr. Amir Niazi:

If this was part of the mental health service, we would have better control over it. Because these sites are located on the campuses of acute hospitals, we have to work with those hospitals. As my colleague said, the challenge is that if they offer us a building in an industrial park or somewhere outside, it does not fulfil the needs of what we want to provide. They have to be on-site where the action is happening. The maternity clinic is on-site. The challenge I have seen - not in my current role but in the previous one - is that HSE estates wants to explore all other options before opting for those kind of modular buildings. Those involved want to have proper buildings looked at. If we wait for that, it will be a long time for anything to happen. We are working with acute hospitals to see if modular buildings, such as those used in voluntary hospitals in Dublin, could be looked at.

My colleague has gone to those hospitals and even taken photographs to support our claim that on this green site we could have a modular building that provide supports and service. We are trying to work with acute hospitals and see how we can work together to deliver that service.