Cuts to mental health services

A local health service held up as “best mirroring” the Government’s stop-start ‘Vision for Change’ mental health reform is facing “serious cutbacks” due to staff shortages in the system.

The Psychiatric Nurses’ Association made the claim about South Tipperary’s mental health services after warning the area is facing an imminent shortage of consultant psychiatrists and junior doctors.

The union said staff have been told by senior management to “cease and curtail a range of community services” because one consultant is leaving for another role and another doctor is taking extended leave.