Bantry hospital mental health services court case could affect other centres, minister warns

The Minister said: "The HSE maintains that it cannot afford to reduce the number of beds, and notes that in regulation 22, there are no specifics in relation to the size of bedrooms."

Due to a finding from the Mental Health Commission, the HSE has been told to reduce the beds in the Bantry Hospital Mental Health unit from 18 to 11, after the commission identified issues around the building, such as occupancy and other safety concerns. File picture: Denis Minihane

A court case over the future of mental health services at Bantry Hospital could have knock-on effects for mental health services across Ireland, the minister responsible has said.

Due to a finding from the Mental Health Commission, the HSE has been told to reduce the beds in the Bantry Hospital Mental Health unit from 18 to 11, after the commission identified issues around the building, such as occupancy and other safety concerns. The issue was raised in Seanad on Wednesday by Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard.