HSE puts off closing psychiatric unit

The HSE has decided to postpone the closure of an acute psychiatric unit, which was due to shut its doors on Mar 31 and stop admitting patients today.

A sustained campaign has been waged by psychiatrists, GPs, staff and local politicians against the planned closure of St Michael’s unit in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, since the HSE announced last year that acute inpatient beds were being transferred to Ennis and Kilkenny.

The scheduled Mar 31 shut-down date has been scrapped pending the development of alternative, community-based mental health facilities. Today’s deadline for admitting new patients has been deferred.