Tús Nua clients are angry over their new replacement service

CLIENTS of Tús Nua Day Care Centre in Ballymun, which closed last November, say they feel let down by an interim replacement programme.

Those who attended the spacious centre, formerly based in Ballymun Shopping Centre, are now receiving services at a small clinic in the Civic Centre on Main Street but claim most of their activities have been curtailed or stopped.

“We are limited in movement and size,

? one client told Northside People.

“Privacy does not exist anymore if you want to cry, talk or just be there as we have just the one space.

?

When news of the closure was first revealed last summer, clients and supporters held a protest calling for a new facility to be opened in the area.

Assessments were carried out on clients to determine their needs and suitability for transfer to other mental health services outside the area when Tús Nua closed.

When the centre eventually closed an interim programme of activities was put in place for clients who weren’t referred to an alternative programme.

However, some clients on the alternative programme are unhappy with the new arrangements.

“The HSE promised we would be looked after following assessment of need but that was last year and for most of us who had our assessments nothing else has happened,

? the client continued.

“If anything we are worse off with nothing to do except cry and die of boredom and suffer horrendous anxiety, stress and deep depressions because we are losing contact with one another and the trust network that was built up no longer exists.

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In correspondence seen by Northside People, the HSE say interim services are currently still being developed but a decision on future day centre provision won’t be made before this summer.

“The programme currently being developed is based on the assessment of need completed on the individuals who attend Tús Nua,

? the letter reads.

“This programme will be run in the Mental Health Service, Ballymun Healthcare Facility, three days per week with links to community facilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“This interim arrangement for the Ballymun Day Centre will continue until a decision is made on the future day centre provision in Dublin North City Mental Health Service.

“This will be based on the assessment of need currently being carried out, which is due to be completed in June 2015.

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