There is increasing concern in county Roscommon that plans are now in train to make major changes to the delivery of mental health services in the county.

The changes look set to include the closure of a number of day care and residential units across the county

Independent deputy Michael Fitzmaurice told Midwest News today that he has become aware that local HSE management are planning the closure of a number day centres and residential units in towns throughout the county and that a number of units are going to be re-purposed and potentially downgraded.
In correspondence with the Minister of state Helen McEntee  in recent weeks, the deputy  was informed that services were under review but that no decisions had been made. However, he now believes the decisions have been made and plans are being made to implement the changes.
He explained that the changes he has been informed of, would affect services users in Strokestown and Athleague with the closure of residential mental health homes. Ballaghaderreen and Strokestown look set to lose their day care centres, with service users to be bussed to alternative services.  Units in the Castlerea area also look likely be affected.

Most startling of all he says in recent weeks and months, people over the age of 65 have not been referred for any day care services and instead front line staff have been instructed to refer them directly into nursing homes.

He told Midwest News he has contacted the Minister’s office and is awaiting clarification on all these issues.

Fianna Fail td in Roscommon Eugene Murphy has also outlined his concerns on the threat to the services and has submitted a written question to the Minister asking if she will clarify whether there is a serious threat of closure over a number of psychiatric day centres in County Roscommon including Strokestown, Ballaghaderreen and Boyle and to clarify whether services are being wound down at the Rosalie Unit in Aras Naoimh Chaolain, Castlerea and what are the plans for residents and if she will make a statement on the deteriorating state of mental health services in County Roscommon.