Lower bed provision for those in mental health crisis in Louth

There is lower bed provision for those in mental health crisis in Louth and Meath than is the case across the rest of the State, with one case of a person being released from a facility in Dublin because there was no room in Drogheda, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil.

Deputy Ó Murchú said there are ‘legacy issues involving funding’ in the counties, particularly with the HSE and mental health. He said: “We have lower bed provision in Louth and Meath than is the case across this State.

“We need to see movement on the promised ten-bed extension in the department of psychiatry in Drogheda. I welcome the interaction with the Minister of State Mary Butler as regards the Mental Health Bill.

“We have dealt comprehensively with the issues as regards ensuring people can be admitted for treatment and can get the treatment that is necessary.

“I have seen where we did not have room in the department of psychiatry in Drogheda. I will not go into any detail but I have heard of someone who was put in a facility in Dublin awaiting space.

“The space did not open and the patient was released before a proper aftercare plan was produced. We have a very specific issue. It is about having the information, dealing with it and those legacy issues and ensuring we cover all the bases”.