The Western Health Board has been developing its mental health services in line with the recommendations of the report on the psychiatric services Planning for the Future which was published in 1984 and which has been accepted by successive Governments. This report advocated the development of a comprehensive, sectorised, community-based mental health service as an alternative to institutional care which isolates patients from their communities. The report proposed that acute admission units, attached to general hospitals should be established to operate in association with a range of community-based services. In the Western Health Board functional area, acute units are located in University College Hospital, Galway; St. Theresa's Unit, Castlebar, County Mayo and in Roscommon General Hospital. Community-based facilities such as community residences, day hospitals, out-patient clinics, day centres and training workshops have been provided in each catchment area.
There are three long-stay psychiatric institutions located at St. Brigid's, Ballinasloe, County Galway accommodating 450 patients, St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo accommodating 243 patients and St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea, County Roscommon with 75 patients. St. Patrick's, Castlerea will shortly be transferred to the Department of Justice for the development of a prison and the Government is committed to the provision of alternative accommodation for patients resident therein.
The remaining information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table.
The Western Health Board plans to continue its development of community-based services thereby reducing its traditional reliance on long-stay hospital care. This will be completed with a phased transfer of resources to community care services and few will doubt the improvement in the quality of life of the mentally ill following their transfer from an institutional to a community-based setting.
Western Health Board
Psychiatric Services
