Fresh fears over future of Toghermore House

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN RENEWED fears have been expressed regarding the future of Toghermore House. The HSE wonâ€â„¢t give assurances as to when it will resume new admissions to the residential unit for mental health services, and it has also emerged that the facility will be included in an upcoming review of full-time residential facilities in Galway-Roscommon. Local Co Cllr Seán Canney fears that last monthâ€â„¢s apparent victory in saving the 18-bed residential facility may be short-lived. Cllr Canney sought clarification regarding the resumption of admissions to Toghermore and was told by the HSE that assurances regarding future admissions canâ€â„¢t be given, as the tender documents relating to the required fire safety works at the property are still being assessed. The HSE has previously stated that it would not resume admissions until the necessary improvements works were completed. While a new fire alarm system was due to be installed a few weeks ago, itâ€â„¢s not known what stage the remaining work is at. The Tuam Herald also understands that the HSE has plans to turn the current coffee shop into offices, along with other outbuildings on the property. The health authority has confirmed that it now plans to carry out a full review of all mental health 24-hour residential facilities in Galway-Roscommon, as part of an assessment of the future needs and requirements for patients in the region. The review hasnâ€â„¢t started yet and who will make up the review group has also yet to be finalised. Cllr Canney has accused the HSE of using every excuse not to reopen Toghermore to new admissions. â€ËœSlow process of strangulationâ€â„¢ â€Å“I have grave concerns regarding the future of Toghermore. The HSE has begun a very slow process of strangulation and is slowly taking the life out of the facility,â€Â said the independent councillor. He said as residents improve and are discharged, the numbers at Toghermore House will fall and without new admissions, the viability of the facility will come under scrutiny. â€Å“We started off with fire safety concerns and these turned out to be mostly of a trivial nature; now thereâ€â„¢s going to be a review. Thereâ€â„¢s no need for another report,â€Â added Cllr Canney. The vital residential service canâ€â„¢t be accessed by new patients from the area at the moment, he pointed out, and he is concerned as to where people in need of such services are being sent. Cllr Canney said it was highly inappropriate if people were being sent to hospital when a community residence is on their doorstep. Correspondence from the HSE to other public representatives speaks of another â€Å“comprehensiveâ€Â review being undertaken of all health services provided in the Tuam area. This review is apparently being carried out by the HSE Westâ€â„¢s management and estates departments and covers mental health, older peopleâ€â„¢s services and primary care. The HSE says that following this review, â€Å“the best possible use of the Toghermore complex will be establishedâ€Â. The Save Toghermore House campaign group and Tuam and District Mental Health Association (TDMHA) have yet to receive any written confirmation regarding the long term future of Toghermore as a community residence and crisis and respite centre. John Feely of TDMHA says the absence of the crisis and respite service is a huge loss to the community and both services have helped hundreds of people in the area. â€Å“We are encouraging local political representatives to press for a rescheduled meeting with the HSE as soon as possible, in order to get clarity on the HSEâ€â„¢s plans for Toghermore. There are many questions still left unanswered,â€Â he told The Herald.