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

We are not closing St. Brigid's Hospital, we are changing what goes on there. We all need to be very careful with the language we use when discussing mental health and people who find themselves in need of an acute service. I think some people are being reckless in that regard.

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue for discussion today. The HSE has, on several occasions recently, indicated the clear need to modernise mental health services across the HSE west region, including in the Galway and Roscommon area. A key factor in this regard is that the current overall stock of 79 beds in Galway and Roscommon is too high, as set out in A Vision for Change, allied to a corresponding underdevelopment of community-based mental health services.

In this context, an implementation plan to reconfigure mental health services across the Galway-Roscommon administrative area was recently put in place. Phase 1 of this was implemented on 20 January with the transfer of five acute beds from Ballinasloe to the existing acute unit in Galway University Hospital. The initiative now under way is a rebalancing in a more focused way of available resources and skills towards community-based services. It has not resulted in reduced service levels overall for Galway and Roscommon mental health services.

The existing Galway University Hospital acute psychiatric unit is currently registered to operate at a higher bed number, so no issues arise with regard to capacity or managing increased bed numbers. The Deputies will also be aware that a purpose-built 50-bed acute mental health unit will come on stream at Galway University Hospital next year to replace the existing smaller unit. This new facility will consist of 35 general adult mental health beds, with the remaining 15 beds dedicated for psychiatry of later life, eating disorders, and mental health and intellectual disability purposes. The acute unit in Roscommon will continue to provide 22 general adult mental health beds.

Regarding the two cases of patient care raised, the HSE has indicated that, on occasion, patients may present with co-existing medical emergencies. In such cases, they are managed initially through an emergency department, in line with best practice, to ensure their medical needs are addressed as a priority. The majority of patients admitted to the psychiatric units in Galway or Roscommon are referred via community-based mental health teams or directly through consultant psychiatrists. Very few patients come directly to psychiatric services through an emergency department.

Mental health services in the Galway and Roscommon area have been enhanced recently by the introduction of a suicide crisis assessment nurse, SCAN, service. This service will help address gaps and provide supports to general practitioners in the area, and patients who present to them with thoughts of suicide. Access to the SCAN service is via a single mobile telephone number which gives the GP direct access to the service, allowing for speedy referral and immediate discussion of an individual's case.

The HSE is not aware of any recent increase in the incidence of self-harm in the catchment area. However, when such cases occur, a community mental health team is available to deal with such incidents, and where necessary, patients can be admitted to Galway University Hospital, or the department of psychiatry in Roscommon. The executive also points to a welcome and increasing awareness generally of issues surrounding depression and self-harm, which include specific measures adopted by local mental health services.

I am satisfied that the decision taken by the HSE, based on expert recommendations, to enhance future mental health provision across Galway and Roscommon is the best option, taking account of overall service needs and competing resource priorities. The approach and objectives to bring about change in this case is no different from that undertaken, or planned elsewhere to implement a widely agreed policy on improving mental health services. Therefore, all concerned should work together to improve future service provision in this area.

See this speech in context