The head of the Psychiatric Nurses Association has severely criticised the HSE’s comprehensive review of Clare’s Mental Health Services.
A 20 percent reduction in staffing levels and falling finances are being cited as the reasons for possible transfers and cuts at residential facilities across the county including Cappahard Lodge and Saint Joseph’s and Gort Glas in Ennis, and The Orchard in Kilrush.
The HSE says no final decisions have been made yet but the proposals are based on clinical advice regarding the most appropriate care for patients.
However Des Kavanagh of the Irish Psychiatric Nurses Association believes it will actually lead to a reduction in quality care being offered.
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HSE STATEMENT ON PROPOSED REVIEW
In a second statement to Clare Fm yesterday HSE local health office manager Dr Fergal Flynn said the principal objective of the review is to provide the most appropriate services for their clients in the context of their changing needs and reduced finances and staffing resources.
In January 2008 there was over 202 full time psychiatric nursing staff available in the Clare Mental Health Services .but by last September this had fallen to just 159 with new appointments unlikely due to the moratorium in the public sector.
Dr Flynn says the reduction presents challenges in maintaining the quality and safety of services in the county and that they are sitting down with all the stakeholders, families, nurses, unions, staff and clinicians to work out the best possible solutions in difficult circumstances.
He added that while the public attention will likely focus on budget and staffing constraints. The proposals are based on clinical advice regarding the best and most appropriate care for patients and its implementation will enable the HSE to deploy extra resources in other settings for more specialized cases requiring more intensive treatment
