MINISTER for Health James Reilly found himself stuck in a lift at the launch of the new multi-million mental health facility in Grangegorman last week.
Few could have imagined that the high profile official opening of the Phoenix Care Centre, built at a cost of e21 million, could be outshone by a 20-minute technical fault with an elevator but that’s exactly what unfolded last Thursday (February 28).
The awkward situation saw Minister Reilly trapped in a lift with Minister of State Kathleen Lynch and a handful of officials and press photographers while a pack of eager and excited reporters stood on the other side of the metal doors.
The HSE have requested the lift issue be addressed with the building contractor.
“We have been informed by the Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) that they are awaiting a full report on the incident and that they have arranged for the lifts to be re-tested and re-commisssioned over the weekend and consequently no impact on the transfer of patients is anticipated,
? a spokesperson said.
Once the tour resumed, it was back to the business of opening the new and impressive mental health facility, which replaces St Brendan’s Hospital on the Grangegorman campus.
Speaking at the opening Minister Reilly said he had no doubt that the Phoenix Care Centre would greatly improve the lives of patients and their families and friends.
“It is incumbent on policy makers and service providers to ensure that each individual with mental ill-health is given every opportunity to reclaim their lives and live as independently as possible within our society,
? he said.
“This objective remains a priority for me as minister.
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The 54-bed purpose built mental health facility will provide patients with their own single bedrooms and en-suite facilities, therapy and rehabilitation spaces enhanced with courtyard settings and a light-filled environment to help the recovery journey for patients.
The completion of Phoenix Care Centre marks a significant milestone as it’s not only an end of an era for St Brendan’s Hospital but is the first major building project to be completed as part of the overall Grangegorman redevelopment project.
The closure of St Brendan’s Hospital – the first public psychiatric hospital in Ireland – will end 199 years of continuous provision of care and treatment to those with a mental illness.
The official opening of Phoenix Care Centre coincided with the day the first patient was admitted to St Brendan’s Hospital on February 28, 1814.
Staff and patients will be transferred from St Brendan’s Hospital to the new facility in the coming weeks.