HSE targets another of Tuam's health facilities

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN THERE is widespread shock and anger at the HSE's unexpected announcement that it may close the residential unit at Toghermore House, which is used for mental health care. The revelation emerged at a meeting on Monday morning between HSE officials and staff, and it's reported that no further admissions are being permitted. The 18-bed mental health residential unit accommodates patients on a short and medium term basis and has been successful in minimising and reducing unwanted and unnecessary admissions to hospital. The Tuam Herald understands that the unit will more than likely close completely and patients will be moved elsewhere. The HSE West has stated that an independent report presented to it last week shows that the current facility does not meet the minimum fire and safety standards. It says this may mean that patients have to be relocated to another part of the service. While the health authority says a steering group has been formed to suggest how to address the shortfalls outlined in the report, The Herald understands that staff have been told there is no funding to carry out the estimated €250,000 works necessary to bring it up to standard. Disbelief Staff together with local public representatives are in disbelief at the revelation, seeing as extensive refurbishment works on the house and associated buildings which cost thousands of euro were completed last year. One source told The Herald that everyone at Toghermore was 'absolutely devastated' by the meeting. They believe that unless there is a massive outcry from the people of Tuam, the HSE will press ahead and close the residential unit and there is speculation that it will be used for offices. Just over a year ago Minister Kathleen Lynch visited Tuam to officially open the refurbished and expanded health facilities at the Toghermore Campus, which is the headquarters for Tuam and Headford's mental health services and caters for a population of about 35,000. The significant refurbishment and improvement works began three years ago following poor results in a mental health report on the conditions in which some patients were living. Services relocated Last year the Tuam Day Hospital was relocated to Toghermore and over the past year further mental health services in the Tuam and Headford areas were relocated to the campus. The Tuam Day Hospital is unaffected by the safety report and the HSE says all other mental health services offered at the Toghermore campus will continue to operate as normal. Minister Lynch stated last year that Toghermore's successful transformation, in conjunction with its reconfiguration of mental health services, should be used as a model for health services around the country. 'The days of big institutions and of people being locked away are gone. I see Toghermore's holistic and wrap-around approach as a model for primary care,' she said, adding that it was big step forward in the normalisation of mental health services. 'We intend to put centres like this all over the country,' she proclaimed. Galway East TD Colm Keaveney is calling on the public to voice their serious opposition to any moves to close the unit at Toghermore House, stressing that the house and its 35 acres were a gift to the people of Tuam by Bobby Burke for the use of the community. He believes the HSE is using fire safety as an excuse to close the unit and he understands that the steering group won't be allowed to consider the building's continued use as a residential unit. He is raising the matter in the Dáil this week and has also asked for a meeting with the HSE Area Manager. The Galway East TD says questions have to be answered as to how considerable resources were invested in Toghermore and yet the appropriate fire safety standards weren't met. 'This intended action by the HSE must be stopped but this will require the mobilisation of the local community to vocally oppose any such change. We, as a community, must defend these services built by ourselves on the back of a gift to the community by Bobby Burke,' added Deputy Keaveney. Fianna Fáil Galway East TD Michael Kitt says that immediate funding should be made available for improvement works rather than disrupting people at short notice. He said the move is very distressing for staff and residents, particularly as no alternative centre has been identified. Fine Gael Deputy Paul Connaughton says the long-term plan for the entire Toghermore campus must be clarified. He said the HSE must sit down with all the stakeholders involved and discuss the needs of the people of North East Galway with regard to mental health. 'There are questions as to why the issue of fire safety has only arisen now and why family members weren't contacted properly. 'I will also be seeking clarification regarding €2.5 million that was apparently ringfenced for mental health in Tuam and why this can't be used to ensure the service for the long term,' he told The Herald.