Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am putting this on the record. I want to see University College Hospital Galway maintained as a centre of excellence. I do not want to see people under so much pressure all for the swipe of a pen. Meanwhile, Ballinasloe is almost written off the map. Senators such as Senator Michael Mullins and others have tried for many years to put Ballinasloe on the map. Now we learn there is an attempt to move the maternity services out of Portiuncula Hospital into University College Hospital Galway. This will have to stop.

St. Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe serves the majority of east Galway and some parts of south-west Roscommon. It is working brilliantly. I have seen the commitment of the staff and the testimonials that have been sent to me. I say we should stop the madness now, at the very least give Ballinasloe an independent review and not move the beds to UCHG until something substantial is put in its place in the community. We all know that people with mental health difficulties are at risk where their lives are concerned. We need to be very careful in how we deal with this issue. We know that people at risk of mental health issues do not deal well with change. Where they have been served and taken care of well, let us maintain it. I recognise the Minister of State is in a very difficult position and has inherited a brief that is loaded with difficulties, but Ballinasloe and St. Brigid's are asking for very little, just an independent review of the marking scheme.

I have questioned them on it and they are willing to accept the review.

We are seeking a stay on this closure until the outcome of the review and until University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, has a unit fit for purpose. I do not support the transfer of this unit to UCHG, should it be transferred, it should be located in Merlin Park, where there is ample space, an amenable setting and an environment that is right for people with mental health issues.

My preference is that the unit should remain where it is and at the very least I request that an independent review be conducted.