Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to clarify some of the facts surrounding this story. I heard the interview to which the Senator refers on local radio, I have read lot of the commentary and I have heard the views of many of the Senator's colleagues and public representatives on this issue. The HSE has confirmed that no decision has been taken to close the Rosalie unit. The focus of the executive over recent times has been, and remains, on meeting the needs and best interests of the current residents of the unit. The 2006 document, A Vision for Change, sets out a comprehensive policy framework for the development of mental health services. It broadly recommends a move away from the traditional institution-based model of care to a more patient-centred, flexible and community-based service, where the need for hospital admission is greatly reduced while still providing inpatient care as appropriate. This Government has prioritised the reform and resourcing of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change.

On the recommendations in the report, staff and service users are represented on the review group that authored it. The HSE has advised that a consultant psychiatrist and the chair of the review group have also been appointed to oversee the implementation of the report's recommendations. The executive has advised me that capacity exists within the Creagh suite in Ballinasloe to accommodate psychiatry of later life patients who have complex continuing care needs. This is an approved centre under the Mental Health Act 2001, which has recently been extensively renovated and modernised to the highest standards. However, the executive has advised that there is no current proposal to move the residents to this facility. I convened a meeting with local public representatives and the HSE on 24 January last in Leinster House. A key outcome of this meeting was a commitment by the HSE to fully engage with residents and their families regarding the Rosalie unit. The chief officer of community health care organisation area 2 met residents and their families on 8 February. In addition, I had discussions yesterday evening in Galway with the HSE about the Rosalie unit and I will be visiting it on 27 February. In conjunction with the executive, I will continue to closely monitor the development of all community-based mental health services in the Galway-Roscommon area, including those provided at the Rosalie unit. The unit, part of Áras Naomh Chaolain, is located in Castlerea, County Roscommon. As the Senator is well aware, it is a continuing care facility for psychiatry of later life patients.