Staff, patients and families at Clare’s mental Health facilities still haven’t been briefed on the HSE’s proposed changes, including possible closures.
It’s one week since the Health service Executive Mid-West confirmed to Clare FM that changes will take place due to staffing issues and changing patient needs, and though the changes are reported in include the transfer of many elderly patients between facilities as early as next month, staff and families are still waiting to be told.
The HSE has stated it’s considering transferring patients from Mental Health facilities across Clare as part of a major review of services – with officials citing a shortfall in nursing staff levels over the past few years, reduced finances and the changing needs of patients as the main reasons for overhaul.
It’s understood the plans include patient transfers between Cappahard Lodge and Saint Joseph’s in Ennis while the 17 patient Orchard Lodge facilities in Kilrush could be closed.
Sources have told Clare FM however that there’s still no clarification from HSE management to staff at these facilities, with meeting not due to take place until later this week – as a result elderly patients and their families are also left in the dark as to whether they’ll be moving before Christmas.
Until the proposals are revealed in full, it’s unknown what the reaction from staff will be, but already there’s local opposition to the moves in Ennis, while concerned citizens in Kilrush have begun a publicity campaign among local representatives to keep the Orchard Lodge facility open.
