Mental health care projects get go ahead

THREE significant healthcare projects on the Southside have been given the go ahead in the New Year alongside a new HSE service plan that was outlined recently.

The capital infrastructure projects include a 22-bed child and adolescent mental health residential unit (Linn Dara) at Cherry Orchard, that is due to be fully operational by the end of 2015.

An interim primary care centre and community mental health day hospital for Crumlin, due to be fully operational in the second quarter of the New Year has also been given the green light while the refurbishment of

‘Bru Chaoimhin’ on Cork Street to accommodate adult day mental health services will also be up and running later next year.

Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG) welcomed the launch of the 2015 HSE Service Plan by the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD and Minister for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch.

“After many years of significant reductions, there is a modest increase in funding in 2015,

? Deputy Byrne said.

“This will allow for commitments laid out in the Programme for Government to be met including the extension of

‘BreastCheck’ to women aged 65-69, as well as GP care without fees for both the under 6s and the over 70s.

“I am very pleased to see that

?¬35 million has been provided for mental health in 2015, bringing to

?¬125 million the amount of funding prioritised for mental health since 2012,

? she added.

“It is hugely important to support and extend our mental health services in our communities, and the Government is committed to achieving this.

?