Families protest against closure of psychiatric unit

MENTAL health service users in south Tipperary are expected to gather with their families at a public meeting tonight to protest against the planned closure of a 49-bed acute psychiatric unit.

The shutdown of St Michael’s psychiatric hospital in Clonmel was announced this year by the HSE, despite opposition from local consultants and GPs, who say inpatient beds will always be needed in the area even if home-based and community-based services are improved.

The HSE intends to move inpatient services covering north Tipperary to the Mid-West Regional Hospital in Ennis, Co Clare, and south Tipperary inpatient beds to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny.