Fears for patients as psychiatric hospitals to close

VULNERABLE mental health patients could face early discharge or waiting lists for services if community care is not developed before the imposed closure of three old psychiatric hospitals, it has been warned.

The Mental Health Commission yesterday ordered that three old hospitals – St Ita’s, St Brendan’s and St Senan’s – long earmarked for closure should no longer admit new patients from February 2011.

Dr Siobhán Barry, external affairs and policy director of the College of Psychiatry, welcomed the move, but said there was a danger that patients could “fall between two stools” if other services were not developed in time.

Dr Barry said the MHC had taken a brave step as they had found year after year no improvements had been made following extensive recommendations laid out by inspectors.

She said the HSE would “have to get moving” on community care, but it was a mystery as to where the money would come from.

“While we welcome the MHC order and recommendations outlined today we are also alarmed at the slow progress of mental health services in moving from institutional care to the community in a truly meaningful way,” Dr Barry said.

“We recognise Minister Moloney’s commitment for the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’ which includes a reduction in institutional care” she said.

“But we have concerns there will not be adequate provision now not only for acutely ill people to find support and help but, equally, that residents of the institutions due for closure will have nowhere to go.

“The impact of such closures needs to be accessed and adequately resourced alternatives developed.

“Simply closing facilities without setting up alternatives runs unacceptable risks for some of our very helpless and vulnerable citizens.”

The college highlighted that 18 new multidisciplinary teams had been promised in December 2005.

“Had these been realised, a rolling programme of ongoing developments might then have begun and the aspiration of a responsive, pro-active, relevant mental health service espoused in ‘A Vision for Change’, become a reality.”