Mental hospital on prison site ‘worst possible idea’

THE row over the move of the Central Mental Hospital to a new prison site has taken a major twist with the emergence of the highly critical views of the hospital’s medical boss.

Up until now, the views of Dr Harry Kennedy, clinical director at the hospital, were unknown. He has consistently declined to comment on the move, which, following a Cabinet vote last December, is now a formal Government decision.

Letters from Dr Kennedy to the Minister for Health and the department, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show just how concerned he is.