State shells out millions to treat mental patients abroad

Irish psychiatric patients are being sent abroad for treatment, at a time when the health service locally closed a mental health unit in Ballinasloe, the Connacht Tribune can exclusively reveal.

The cost to the Health Service Executive (HSE) of sending patients abroad for treatment for mental health problems could be as much as €3.1 million annually, as it costs an average of €13,000 per month per patient.

Payments of hundreds of thousands of Euros to private foreign hospitals comes despite the HSE West having spent a whopping €2.9 million refurbishing the 22-bed mental health unit in St Brigid’s Hospital in Ballinasloe, which is now controversially closed. Independent Senator Rónán Mullen, who obtained the figures, says it is an outrageous waste of taxpayers’ money.

The European election candidate in the new Midlands-North-West constituency, from Ahascragh, has demanded action from Health Minister Dr James Reilly. He said it was a matter of grave concern relating to the human dignity of the patient but also to their family and loved ones who are forced to travel abroad also.

“It is scandalous that we are closing top facilities in Ireland, and in particular admissions units situated in therapeutic locations like St Brigid’s in Ballinasloe while at the same time sending people out of the country for treatment. We are training doctors and nurses who are much sought after around the world for their skills and expertise, and it is a nonsense for the HSE to suggest that Irish people cannot be treated by skilled Irish clinicians on Irish soil,” Senator Mullen said.

The HSE has confirmed that twelve children with mental health problems are currently being treated abroad, and eight adults are being treated in private hospitals in Europe. It is understood that some of the patients have received mental health treatment abroad for several years.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.