Call for high support unit for mental-health patients

MENTAL Health Minister, John Moloney has been requested to fast-track the provision of a high support unit in the Mid-West to provide appropriate care for an Ennis mental-health patient, who is receiving 24-hour security in an Ennis hospital at an estimated cost of €1,000 a day.

Councillor Paul O’Shea said a new high-support unit should be provided as quickly as possible to provide care for this patient in a facility suitable for his needs.
The call was made after Minister Moloney launched a national two-year campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental-health illness at an information meeting at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis on Tuesday night.
Councillor O’Shea called on the minister to provide a high-support intensive care rehabilitation unit in the Mid-West after the Government’s Vision for Change identified the need for four 30-bed intensive care units staffed by psychiatric multi-disciplinary teams with appropriate training.
He also expressed concern that the vacant post of forensic psychiatrist in Limerick has remained unfilled since 2008.
Two security personnel have been employed around the clock to manage the man, who is being treated in the Acute Psychiatric Unit at Ennis hospital since July 2008 because a suitable alternative cannot be found.
His solicitor, Marie Keane stated her client is being extraordinarily well looked after in the Ennis hospital and noted that extensive efforts have been made by staff, his consultant and other HSE personnel over the last two years to try and find a more appropriate setting for him. She said the acute unit is the best that is available at the present time.
A comprehensive assessment of this patient’s needs was carried out last July and extensive efforts are continuing on an ongoing basis to find alternative care.
Contrary to some media reports, Ms Keane stressed her client is not a violent, deranged man. She said that when the sale of Our Lady’s Hospital, Ennis was concluded, it was agreed that a new high-support unit would be provided in Killaloe to serve the needs of the region.
However, she claimed this money was not ring-fenced and this high-support unit not provided.
“This money was not ring-fenced and no one knows where it has gone. If this high-support unit was built in Killaloe, my client would not be in this difficulty.
“Every avenue has been explored to find a centre that would be suitable to his particular individual needs,” she explained.
In an interview with The Clare Champion, Minister of State, John Moloney admitted he could not give a commitment that a proposed intensive care rehabilitation unit would be up and running in the near future.
Deputy Moloney confirmed he would not be in a position to clarify his list of priorities for capital developments until the end of the year following discussions with the HSE.
He acknowledged there are a number of psychiatric patients who are inappropriately placed in mental-health facilities throughout the country, including adolescents who have been placed in adult units.
Acknowledging the need for high-support units, the Minister of State said he is aware of this particular case, having heard it being discussed by officials from his own department.
“There must be a provision of high-support special units. That is why I went to the Cabinet to secure a multi-annual €50 million programme for capital developments throughout the country.
“I am not saying that this funding is the answer to everything. It will provide new structures by way of capital developments. This funding is a clear acknowledgement by me and the Government that mental health didn’t get the priority it deserved over the years.
“One of the most important things is to provide staffing for community mental-health teams and I am caught by the national recruitment embargo.
“I have to deal with priorities, rather than pretend I can do it all in one year, which simply can’t be done,” he said.