Lodge closure will benefit residents, says minister

CLINICAL assessments of residents in a Kilrush high-support unit has determined their needs would be better served in a different therapeutic setting, according to Minister of State at the Department of Health, John Moloney.
Responding to concerns expressed by Deputy Pat Breen in the Dáil last week, Deputy Moloney said that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has consulted and engaged with carers, families and clinical and nursing staff and provided opportunities for them to have a constructive input as part of their current review of mental health services in the county.
“At present, there are 16 residents in Orchard Lodge and following individual clinical assessments, it has been concluded that 11 of the residents, given their changing needs, would be more appropriately cared for in an older persons’ setting.  It is therefore proposed to refer these residents to the older persons’ placement panel for consideration as to the most appropriate care setting for each individual. The remaining five residents, who at this point require ongoing mental health care, will be accommodated in appropriate rehabilitation facilities.
“The HSE, to their credit, are proactively responding to the changing needs of these particular clients and are trying to provide the best possible care to them in the most appropriate setting.
“The closure of the residential facility will release mental health nursing staff and allow for their re-deployment to other areas, where nursing staff are required and thus ensure best use of our valuable resources,” he said.
The minister confirmed there were no plans at present to change other services provided on this site, including the day service and the West Clare catering service.
Deputy Breen claimed the closure was a “backward step” and would cause anguish and trauma to residents who had to leave familiar surroundings.
“The unit currently supports 17 people, 11 of whom are over the age of 65 years.
“They have all settled into Kilrush and for the first time in their lives they have a place they can call home. They can go about their daily business, they have freedom, they can go into the local shop to collect their newspaper, have a pint in the local pub or sit and chat over a cup of coffee with their friends.
“The freedom these people quite rightly now enjoy is being made possible by the care and attention they receive from the team of dedicated staff who look after them,” he said.
Councillor Bill Chambers, who met local HSE officials with Councillor Christy Curtin on Thursday expressed his disappointment that the HSE hadn’t engaged in consultation with the residents’ next-of-kin before this proposal was announced.
In a statement issued to The Clare Champion, the HSE stressed what was under way was a clinically driven process in which the assessment of the clinical needs of each patient is the key consideration. This was accompanied by consultation with staff, patients and families and then further engagement with staff through the industrial relations system.
“If any relative got the impression of so-called done deals it was not as a result of any decision taken by HSE management but rather because of selective leaking and misrepresentation of a process in which HSE management sought to engage fairly and honestly with all interests.”