HSE considering Mervue drug clinic move

The Health Service Executive (HSE) West says it is continuing to review proposals to relocate the Drug Treatment Clinic from Mervue, possibly to Merlin Park.

However, the HSE said that currently “there is no suitable facility on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital” to house the drugs clinic.

There was controversy last year when the HSE, without consultation, moved the drugs clinic from Shantalla Health Centre to the east of the city in Mervue.

The treatment clinic is close to schools, a crèche, and homes. The area has a large population of senior citizens, many of whom have complained to local representatives about the location of the clinic in Mervue.

At the April meeting of the HSE West Regional Health Forum, City Councillor Terry O’Flaherty’s motion calling on officials to examine moving the facility away from Mervue was passed.

This week, the HSE wrote to Cllr O’Flaherty to say its review is continuing.

Pádraic Colman, senior admin officer with HSE West said: “With regard to your forum query relating to above please note that we continue to review the location of this service.

“Currently, there is no suitable facility on the grounds of Merlin Park. I should advise that this is Rehab Treatment Centre that was recently relocated to its original location, and the service tells me they have not received any complaints to date.

“Please also note, no dispensing is carried out at this location, please be assured we will continue to work with the HSE Estates Department to source a location on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital.”

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty said she is pleased to note that the HSE hasn’t received any complaints about the clinic since it became operational.

She has welcomed the commitment from the HSE to follow through on her motion that was passed to examine the grounds of Merlin Park as a more suitable location for the clinic.