Transfer of group to hospital criticised

The State’s mental health watchdog has criticised health authorities for planning to move a group of intellectually disabled people who have been living in the community back into an outdated psychiatric institution. Under the plan by health authorities in Co Galway, disabled service users would be transferred to a ward of St Brigid’s hospital in Ballinasloe which dates from the 1930s. The Inspector for Mental Health Services criticised the move as it would institutionalise people who have spent years living in the community. The director of the hospital, Dr Harry Kennedy, has previously warned of a “serious community risk” as a result of a lack of staff. (Irish Times) >