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Deputation meet Minister of State over plans to close Ballinasloe psychiatric unit
Galway bay fm newsroom – Minister of state at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch is meeting with a deputation over plans to close a psychiatric unit in Ballinasloe.
Members of the psychiatric nurses association as well as local and national elected representatives are among the lobby group meeting in Leinster House around now.
The PNA say the HSE is closing the 22 acute psychiatric admission beds at St.Bridget’s hospital without putting in place acute mental health community teams for older people and those with intellectual disability.
They also claim the removal of these beds will put pressure on both Roscommon and GUH, with patient numbers exceeding the bed requirement.
However, the HSE says the closure will take place on a phased basis, and will mean just 7 beds are taken out of the Galway Roscommon mental health service.
57 acute inpatient beds will be maintained at GUH and Roscommon, and a further 15 beds will be available in the acute mental health unit in Galway.
PNA national secreatry Noel Giblin says they are now looking for real and meaningful talks with management