CLARITY SOUGHT FROM MINISTER OVER BALLINASLOE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES

Date Published: 23-Jan-2012

The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health is being urged to intervene in the controversy surrounding the possible closure of beds at St. Brigid's Psychiatric Hospital in Ballinasloe.

It emerged last week that staff at the hospital were informed that 37 acute care beds at St. Luke's ward would be closed.

Local county councillors claim that patients and staff are due to be moved into the campus of University Hospital Galway.

Over 300 people attended a meeting in Ballinasloe yesterday [22/1] to discuss fears for the future of the beds at St. Brigid's.

The HSE West has still not responded to queries from Galway Bay Fm News for clarity on the issue.

Galway East Labour T.D, Colm Keaveney has spoken to Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch's office, urging immediate intervention.

Deputy Keaveney says he has made numerous enquiries and nobody seems to know what's in store for St. Brigid's in Ballinasloe