HSE currently developing a proposal for a 75-bed acute mental health service at Cork hospital

Cork TD Liam Quaide who worked as a clinical psychologist in the North Cork mental health services from 2013 to 2021, has cautiously welcomed the proposals. “HSE senior management confirmed at an Oireachtas members’ briefing this week that they are developing a proposal for a 75-bed acute mental health facility serving both the North Lee and North Cork catchments.”

The Social Democrats TD for Cork East said one of the Integrated Health Managers indicated that one possible design currently being worked on may involve three separate facilities of 25 beds each.

This would replace the existing acute unit for North Cork at St Stephen’s and provide a new purpose-built service for North Lee, whose current inpatient unit at St Michael’s in the Mercy University Hospital cannot be brought up to proper standards due to fundamental site constraints.

Deputy Quaide who is the party spokesperson on mental health and disability said the two catchments together cover a population of almost 285,000. “More than 192,000 living in North Lee — encompassing the city north of the river as well as Macroom, Blarney, Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Youghal. North Cork, which includes Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Mallow, Charleville, Kanturk and Newmarket, accounts for a further 92,000.

“The need for a safe, modern and therapeutic acute service for these communities has been evident for many years,” he added.

Deputy Quaide continued: “I cautiously welcome the HSE’s announcement that St Stephen’s Hospital is the proposed site for a new acute mental health facility serving the North Lee and North Cork HSE catchments. If the grounds are not excessively hard landscaped to accommodate the elective hospital development, they could provide significant therapeutic benefits through access to nature.”

“It is essential that inpatients are not overly concentrated in one area,” said the Cork TD. “Bed allocation between North Cork and North Lee must be fair and consistent. In addition, public transport links to the hospital require major improvement to ensure this location is genuinely suitable for a large new acute mental health service.”

Deputy Quaide also said that clear communication is needed on the future role of St Michael’s, where costly renovations are underway despite the HSE’s position that it will not be viable for long-term acute mental health provision.