Blacklisted psychiatric hospital to close in 2014
St Finan’s in Killarney has been in use since the late 1800s but in recent years many parts of the sprawling building have fallen into serious disrepair and dilapidation while still housing mental health patients.
The most recent inspection report, from June 2010, states that some single rooms had interior and exterior doors which made them appear more like cells; some patients were in a large open dormitory with beds situated in the centre of the room, with little privacy; and a number of residents did not have up-to-date physical health reviews.
Though most wards at St Finan’s are closed, 20 people remain in the “asylum” building, while another 20 reside in a separate building on hospital grounds, built in the 1970s.
It is understood the whole campus must close by April 2014. The Irish Examiner revealed last month that as late as June this year, the hospital was still taking admissions from the psychiatric unit at Kerry General Hospital as there is nowhere else for longer-stay patients who need high support to go.
Following a recent Mental Health Commission inspection, a decision was made not to renew the registration of the hospital, which effectively means closure.
Cormac Williams, local branch organiser of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, wrote to Mental Health Minister Kathleen Lynch earlier this month asking that capital funding be released to provide replacement facilities.
Mr Williams warned that “clearly we do not need another Leas Cross situation to arise at that point, therefore it is imperative that the alternative facilities be put in place as a matter of priority over the coming two years”.
Meanwhile, a new 15-bed high support hostel has opened in the town.
The €2.8 million hostel was completed in 2009 but has been idle for a number of years following disagreement between the HSE South, Kerry Mental Health Association and Kerry County Council over tenancy agreements and responsibility for the day to day running costs.
