Seanad debates

Thursday, 7 November 2002

Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, 2001: Statements.

 

I fully agree with self-advocacy, but there is also a need for a group to represent patients and former patients. There is a group representing those with an intellectual disability and I was very proud to attend their conference in the Hodson Bay Hotel on 4 and 5 November. I congratulate the Brothers of Charity and the self-advocacy group on their excellent work in that regard. Patients who have an intellectual disability should under no circumstances be in a long-stay psychiatric hospital. I ask the Minister of State, therefore, to provide funding and leadership by going to St. Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe to kick-start the move into the community. We have the site and the plans. What we need is the money to ensure those patients, some of whom are elderly, can live in dignified surroundings.

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