Relocation of mental health service due to ‘safety risks’
By Maurice Garvey
THE HSE are ‘temporarily relocating’ mental health services from Clondalkin village to Tallaght due to ‘health and safety risks’ associated with the current building at Orchard Road.
The move to Belgard Road is deemed temporary until a new primary care centre in Boot Road is built.
The HSE facility in Clondalkin will move to Tallaght.
A HSE spokesperson told The Echo that they anticipate the developer commencing construction in the coming months at Boot Road.
However, with work yet to start on the Boot Road facility, plans to relocate patients have been criticised in some quarters, arriving just a month after it was discovered that mental health charity Jigsaw in Clondalkin, is to amalgamate with Jigsaw Tallaght next year.
“Any temporary move will cause significant distress for those with moderate to severe mental health problems, and create even more barriers for those most marginalised from society,” said Jen Clancy, Coordinator Clondalkin Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.
“We have tirelessly lobbied for temporary premises in Clondalkin but this doesn’t look like it will happen.”
Councillor Madeleine Johansson called on the HSE to reverse the decision.
“From some areas of Clondalkin, you have to get at least two buses to get to Tallaght. Everyone recognises that we have a mental health crisis in Ireland and not enough services,” she said.
“There is also widespread concern that the promised primary health centres for Clondalkin and North Clondalkin will not be delivered due to the over-spend in the National Children’s Hospital. We urgently need appropriate facilities for all primary care needs including mental health services.”
A HSE spokesperson said: “The reason we are relocating temporarily from Clondalkin village is due to the health and safety risks which have been identified with the current building for both clients and staff. Going forward, the plan is to deliver community mental health services for Clondalkin in the proposed new Clondalkin Primary Care centre on Boot Road.
“Until the new primary care centre is built, alternative interim options are being pursued, including a definitive plan to temporarily relocate community mental health services to an existing HSE facility on Belgard Road.
“Any other proposal that may be brought to our attention within the Clondalkin area will more than likely require a planning application and accordingly possible associated delays. Due to the urgency of the matter, the Belgard Road facility is the only nearby premises available within the HSE estate which is suitable to house the community mental health service. We will continue to work with all stakeholders, including the Drugs Task Force as the plan develops to address any concerns that may arise.”
The Clondalkin mental health team of approximately 22 staff members, work in partnership with local GPs, Tallaght University Hospital and other local agencies, to provide services to a population of 60,256.
In 2018, the Clondalkin team received 542 referrals, of which 509 were accepted.
On average, the HSE say over 90 per cent of referrals are seen within three months.
The Boot Road centre is being developed and delivered by the HSE’s Operational Lease mechanism, which facilitates primary care services being provided by both the public and private sector.
