asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his proposals for retention and development of St. Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital, Castlerea. County Roscommon; and if he will rescind his decision to withdraw funding from this hospital of £1.9 million from July 1986.
Written Answers. - Castlerea (Roscommon) Hospital.
18.
I wish to make it quite clear that I do not propose to retain St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea, as an active psychiatric hospital.
I have written to the Western Health Board outlining the means by which alternative arrangements can be made both for persons from County Roscommon who may need psychiatric services and for persons now living in St. Patrick's Hospital who are in need of continuing care. These arrangements include, in particular:
1. An acute psychiatric unit at Roscommon County Hospital, to include a crisis intervention service and a day hospital.
2. Specialist psychiatric out-patient services at the county clinic in Roscommon.
3. Development of the Sacred Heart Home in Roscommon to provide a comprehensive day care service.
4. The acquisition of suitable premises for use as a high-support hostel.
5. The acquisition of domestic scale residences at a number of locations such as Roscommon, Castlerea, Boyle, Ballaghaderreen, Strokestown and Williamstown.
6. Special arrangements for mentally handicapped persons who are now living in St. Patrick's Hospital. Discussions are now in progress with the mental handicap agencies to find appropriate accommodation for them.
7. The redesignation as a geriatric unit of some accommodation within St. Patrick's Hospital to cater for a number of elderly persons at present in the hospital whose main requirement is geriatric care.
I have indicated that financial assistance will be available, if required, to enable these facilities to be put in place.
I am now awaiting the response of the Western Health Board to these proposals. Arrangements for funding St. Patrick's Hospital from July onwards will be examined in the light of this response.