No definitive plan for intensive care unit for west despite security bill

THE COST to the Health Service Executive of a €1.3 million security bill for one psychiatric patient is set to continue to rise.

This follows the HSE admitting that it has no definitive plans for a regional intensive care rehabilitation unit for the west.

The development of such a centre was outlined six years ago in the 2006 HSE document A Vision for Change.

However, senior HSE official Bernard Gloster has stated that no decision has yet been made as to the location of the unit.

In a written response to HSE West Forum member Cllr Brian Meaney, (Green), Mr Gloster said “each intensive care rehabilitation unit will be complemented by two high-support intensive care residences – there are no definitive plans in the west for same at this point in time”.

The general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, Des Kavanagh, has blamed the failure to develop the regional intensive care rehabilitation unit as the reason behind the long-term care for a 39-year-old psychiatric patient at the acute psychiatric unit in Ennis, Co Clare.

The round-the-clock security costs for the man are costing €1,000 per day, with the bill now at over €1.3 million.

Mr Meaney said yesterday: “It is very disappointing that plans for a regional intensive care unit for the west have not been progressed.

“The fact that the HSE has not even identified a location for the unit only underlines the lack of commitment there is to the project,” said Mr Meaney.