David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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330. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the number of acute beds in the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9315/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On February 3rd 2017 the Mental Health Commission notified the HSE of its proposal to register the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Waterford as an Approved Centre with conditions.

The HSE has until Friday 24th of February to make representations to the Commission to either modify or remove those proposed conditions based on evidence that the Waterford is, or will be compliant with the regulations to which the proposed conditions relate. The HSE intends to request the Commission does not, as a condition of registration, require the HSE to reduce the number of beds operating in Waterford.

Under section 64(6)(b)(iii) of the Mental Health Act 2001 the Commission can specify the maximum number of residents in an Approved Centre, or within an area of an Approved Centre. In this instance this is proposed because in the view of the inspectors:

- there is insufficient space for the total number of residents;

- there is a lack of dining, recreational and quiet spaces for residents;

- the previously proposed programme of works would not have addressed the above;

- and these points together pose a risk to service user safety.

The HSE will make representations to the Commission before February 24th detailing how the HSE intends to address the points above, including a revised programme of works with associated timelines.

The HSE will outline how, on balance, a bed reduction is less safe for the service user population of CHO 5 than maintaining the current bed base – with the controls and improvement plans to be provided.