Concern over relocation of psychiatric services

FEARS have been raised in relation to the HSE’s plan
to relocate two crucial services catering for children with psychiatric issues
from Castleknock and Blanchardstown to the Southside.

The move will have a devastating effect on adolescents
from all over Mid-Leinster and Dublin North East who heavily depend on the
Dublin 15-based mental health services, according to Cllr Ruth Coppinger (SP).

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is proposing to
move the Linn Dara Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in the
Warrenstown Unit, Blanchardstown, and the Castleknock Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Team.

In-patients of the Warrenstown Unit, who are all under
15-years-of-age and from the vast catchment area of Dublin Mid-Leinster and
Dublin North East, will be transferred to Palmerstown, while the vital
Castleknock mental health service will be relocated to Cherry Orchard Hospital.

Concerns have been raised as to what impact this will
have on the young children and their families who travel from near and far to
access the service.

“I am absolutely opposed and call on the community to
campaign against any attempt to shift the outpatient services at Warrenstown
and Castleknock making them inaccessible for families without cars,

? said Cllr
Coppinger.

“The youth population in Dublin 15 is among the
largest in Europe and more than justifies an enhancement of services, never
mind retaining what is here.

“Schools refer children with ADHD and more severe
behavioural conditions to these services.

“There is no way we will accept families having to bus
or drive over the M50 to access them.

?

The local representative believes that the proposed
relocations are as a result of budgetary cutbacks in the HSE.

“The HSE cites safety and the costs of these old
buildings as making them unsuitable,

? Cllr Coppinger continued.

“Fair enough, but there are many local vacant
buildings or HSE facilities that could be used instead, including at Connolly
Hospital.

“The strong suspicion is that these are just cuts,
with the HSE centralising services where it suits them, rather than where it
suits users of the services and their hard-pressed families.

“I have been told by the HSE this will be decided on
in the new year. At a time when youth suicide and mental health issues are
increasing, this would be a devastating blow to children and adolescents
seeking help.

?

A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive
confirmed to Northside People that the relocations are on the table for the
future.

“The HSE is proposing to re-locate the Linn Dara Child
and Adolescent Mental Health to more suitable accommodation on the St Loman’s
site in Palmerstown which will also allow for the planned expansion of the
in-patient facilities,

? she stated.

“In relation to the Castleknock Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Team, the current buildings are not suitable for the continued provision
of safe and therapeutic services and the HSE is proposing to relocate the team
to a new state-of-the-art premises on the grounds of Cherry Orchard Hospital
pending the development of primary care premises in Corduff.

“In the meantime, we are investigating the
availability of local premises where outreach services could be provided and
are consulting with our families to minimise any disruption caused.

?