Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Mental health services in HSE west, including Galway and Roscommon, which operate as one administrative unit, have been resourced to implement A Vision for Change. This involves modernising the service in the area to provide better outcomes for patients and staff. However, existing resources in Galway-Roscommon need to be reshaped and the priority for some time has been to achieve this in line with similar reconfigurations undertaken or planned elsewhere nationally.

In this light, a detailed assessment was carried out by HSE west, including taking account of the recommendations of an expert group to reconfigure mental health services in Galway-Roscommon. An open and transparent scoring system was used to assess the merits of all relevant criteria and locations, including the most appropriate skill mix for service delivery in the future. I accept the recommendations of the executive to bring about a much needed and long called for reconfiguration of mental health services in the region.

I wish to stress that community mental health services in this case can only be enhanced on a transitional or phased basis, particularly bearing in mind that at least some staff from St. Brigid's in Ballinasloe must transfer to new community-based provision. There is flexibility within existing overall HSE west mental health resources to deliver this objective.

I and HSE senior officials recently met with a delegation consisting of local public, care professional and union representatives about the re-configuration of services across Galway-Roscommon to outline the position. Bearing in mind all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the approach being taken by the HSE to enhance future mental health services for this area is the best option, taking account of overall service needs and all relevant resource issues.

With regard to the type of audit suggested by the Deputy, I would point out that the decision of the expert group was reached as objectively as possible and the approach used was similar to that adopted for similar initiatives elsewhere. Any such audit would significantly delay the pressing need to continue modernising local services and would not be justified. The Deputy will also be aware that HSE west has recently established an implementation team, including both patient and staff representation, to engage in appropriate consultation to progress this initiative and to address any outstanding local concerns. The team has already held a number of briefings and meetings with, among others, the Mental Health Commission, Ballinasloe Town Council and HSE staff.

I wish to re-iterate my own commitment, and that of the Government, to using the significant funding provided for mental health in recent times to continue implementing A Vision for Change, including delivery of measures that are in the best interest of clients of mental health services in the HSE west area.

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