Protesters urge HSE to rethink closure of mental health hostel
Upwards of 40 people staged a protest on Friday outside the HSE offices in Tralee against a HSE decision to close the Island View High Support Hostel in Caherciveen.
Protestor spokesman Christy O’Connell claimed the HSE had not engaged in consultation with all stakeholders involved and the closure would have adverse effects on patients and families.
“We’re trying to create awareness among the public about what is happening to vulnerable, voiceless people,” he said.
“What’s happening in Caherciveen will create an unhealthy vacuum in psychiatric services in the south Kerry area.”
Calling on politicians for support, he said they had been sitting on the fence and problems had been allowed to continue.
Mr O’Connell said the Kerry Mental Health Association had come forward with proposals in line the Vision for Change document, but the HSE was refusing to consider the proposals.
In a statement, the HSE said its service plan for 2012 included the closure of the hostel, as part of a significant shift in emphasis from an institutional-centred service to a community-based one.
There had been a significant reduction in the number of residents and the remaining seven would be re-accommodated following an assessment of their needs, it added.
The statement said proposals from staff and various organisations regarding support for the residents were being considered.
“There has been ongoing consultation with the residents and families, staff and the wider supporting network of services,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association said cuts in agency staff and overtime will impact disproportionately on mental health and intellectual disability services in Kerry.
These services depend on agency staff and overtime to maintain frontline services, due to the ban on recruitment, according to the PNA’s Cormac Williams.
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