Minister says closure of Ballinasloe pyschiatric unit was premature
Galway Bay fm newsroom - Junior Fine Gael Minister Ciaran Cannon has described the planned closure of St. Brigid's psychiatric unit in Ballinasloe as 'premature'.
The Galway East TD has questioned the timing of the decision by the HSE.
The 22 acute bed ward will be wound down later this year and will instead be used to provide enhanced community based mental health care.
The reconfiguration means 22 such beds will be maintained in Roscommon with 35 beds in the city.
Minister Cannon says it's impossible in that short time frame to put in place all of the community based services and a strong GP network which could lead to a reduction in the need for acute beds.
He refers to the process of change in the Cavan-Monaghan region which he argues took a number of years, not weeks.
Minister Cannon will be meeting with Health Minister James Reilly and Minister Kathleen Lynch next month to voice his concerns.
Speaking to Galway Bay fm news, he says a detailed implementation plan should be prepared and communicated to all interested parties prior to any action being taken.