Planning for the Future recommended the development of a comprehensive community oriented mental health service as an alternative to institutional care for persons with mental illness. This has led to a steady decline in the number of in-patients in St. Finan's Hospital and the sale of goods in the shop and the canteen has dropped accordingly. In view of this and of the fact that existing patients prefer to purchase some of their requirements outside the hospital and avail of the facilities in Killarney, the Southern Health Board, in consultation with staff and patients, reduced the opening hours of the facility to 15 hours per week. This mirrors operational hours of shops in other psychiatric facilities within the board.
A further decline in numbers is anticipated in the future with the continued relocation of patients to community facilities and it is felt that the revised opening hours will adequately meet the needs of the patients and staff.