John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring. While I have great respect for the Minister of State, there is something fundamentally wrong when we table a Commencement debate directed at the Minister for Health only for it to be taken by a different Minister who may not be familiar with the issues involved. We should change the way in which Commencement matters are selected to allow Senators to defer a Commencement matter if the relevant Minister is not available.

There are serious concerns about the future and direction of mental health service in County Roscommon. Morale among psychiatric nurses in the county is at an all-time low. One of the causes for concern is staffing at Knockroe House, which is a high support unit for patients with challenging psychiatric behavioural issues. At present the unit is only staffed by one nurse and one care worker during the day or at night, whereas previously it was operated by four specialist psychiatric nurses. Two serious incidents occurred in the unit in recent times, both of which were of a sexual nature. The first incident involved two patients and the second involved a patient and a member of staff. These incidents were not reported to the Garda but they were investigated by the HSE. I do not agree with the practice of the HSE investigating itself. The Mental Health Commission is now investigating the incidents, which I welcome.

The main reason I tabled this Commencement matter is to discuss a plan by the HSE to close the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, County Roscommon, which houses 25 long-stay psychiatric patients. In the 1980s, mental health service policy was based on a document called Planning for the Future. Under the policy, we established day care centres for psychiatric patients, supervised hostels and unsupervised hostels. As these options were not suitable for certain categories of patients, we also established a long stay unit to provide for their needs. The Rosalie unit fits the criteria under A Vision for Change to would allow it to remain in operation because it contributes to the 50 long stay beds available to a population of 300,000 between counties Roscommon and Galway. However, the HSE has vetted the 25 patients at the unit with a view to discharging them to private nursing homes. If they were wrongfully placed in the unit in the first place, can they now sue the HSE 25 years after their admission? I recently observed a patient with dementia who was staying in a private nursing home. She was uncontrollable and was attacking staff in the unit. I do not believe that a private nursing home is the appropriate place for these patients.

Staff in County Roscommon are highlighting areas of concern. They are like whistle blowers but the HSE is not listening to them. The same thing happened in Aras Attracta after a patient died but it was only when the HSE finally investigated the issues arising that the staff members who raised the issue were vindicated. A further 34 staff have since been appointed to Aras Attracta but HIQA have indicated this increased staffing level is not sufficient in itself.

It would be wrong to close the Rosalie unit in Castlerea. It has been a family home for between 20 and 25 patients for the last 25 years. All of the patients are elderly. I will not allow these patients to be discommoded because that would be grossly unfair.Will the Minister of State convey my concerns in the strongest possible terms to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch? This is an issue of grave concern for me and many others in County Roscommon.