Dismay over cutbacks in 'non-essential' services

PEOPLE USING a mental healthcare facility in Claremorris, Co Mayo have expressed dismay at cutbacks in complementary therapies such as massage, creative writing and art. The HSE said the cutbacks were made because the services “were not considered essential”.

The Claremorris Day Centre, which has about 40 users, had been providing a range of therapies, including aromatherapy massages. Centre user Paddy Kirwan said the massages were very popular with older people.

The centre also ran fitness classes and had been fitted out with gym equipment but they have also stopped.

Mr Kirwan, who suffers from depression, said the classes had been a great help to many people. “There were days when you’d go in and you would be in bad form but after three-quarters of an hour in the gym you’d be back to yourself again. Money couldn’t buy what they were doing for us. Of course they were essential services.”

Creative writing and art classes have also been curtailed and the cutbacks have also affected the book club.

Mr Kirwan said the centres in Kiltimagh and Swinford had suffered in the same way. He said the removal of services were in breach of the Government’s Vision for Change policy on a number of fronts. Patients should be consulted about changes in their care plans but “nothing was discussed with us – not a thing”.

A HSE spokeswoman said it had been necessary to reduce some of the complementary therapies in the Mayo Mental Health Services “due to prioritising within the service”.

“These therapies, while making a very valuable contribution to the mental health of clients, are not considered to be essential. Each individual case will be closely monitored and will be reviewed in the event of a negative impact being clinically identified.”

She said discussion had taken place between the management of the Mayo Mental Health Services and the advocacy services on therapeutic interventions for service users and they were assured of the HSE’s ongoing support for complementary therapies “in principle”.