Protest begins against plan to close hospital's acute ward

[comment] Pic: Paul Hardy (@PHardy091 on Twitter)[/comment]

A protest is underway in Ballinasloe, Co Galway today against the proposed closure of a 22-bed acute care mental health unit at St Brigid's Hospital.

Those involved include members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the East Galway Mental Health Action Group.

At protest in #Ballinasloe re closure of Ireland's newest acute psychiatric unit -€2.9m wasted! pic.twitter.com/rqJmosn0gt

— Denis Naughten (@DenisNaughten) September 15, 2013

Great turnout so far in Ballinasloe. Mental heath services matter to people. pic.twitter.com/XpC6rizQSC

— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) September 15, 2013

The PNA says that after €3.8m being spent on the redecoration and redesign of the unit at the Ballinasloe hospital, it is being proposed that it be closed without it ever having been used.

The HSE stated last month that the 22-bed acute ward will now instead be used to provide enhanced community-based mental health care and the 22 acute beds will be maintained in Roscommon and at Galway's University Hospital.

However, the PNA's Noel Giblin told Galway Bay Fm that this remains a reduction of 22 beds currently in the system in Ballinasloe, and it will put further pressure on hospitals in Galway and Roscommon.