Press release
Statement from the Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler regarding transfer of services from Owencurra Approved Centre
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
"Given the recent media coverage about this matter I wish to make the following statement to set out the facts. The HSE decision to transfer services from this centre was not taken lightly and follows serious concerns raised by the Mental Health Commission through their inspection process.
"From the outset, the will and preference of the residents of the Owenacurra Centre have been paramount in all decisions and actions taken by the HSE. I am satisfied that the decisions arrived at were made with best interests of the residents in mind, both from a health and safety viewpoint and from the provision of appropriate treatments. The support and engagement of staff tasked with delivering the services is also of critical importance and central to decisions arrived at.
"The original plan for the Owenacurra Centre was to refurbish the building to bring it to a standard that allows for the provision of care and recovery, which a modern service should provide.
"Once planning work for this refurbishment began, and based on independent commissioned reports, it became clear that refurbishment would effectively mean demolishing the building, as a full refurbishment in itself would not guarantee that the building would meet building requirements or be regarded as fit for purpose into the future by the Mental Health Commission. Two independent reports supported this position.
"As the independent regulator, the Mental Health Commission in its recent inspection reports found that the premises at Owenacurra were not up to the required standard and identified 2 critical risks (in relation to premises and access to therapeutic services and programmes) and 3 high risks. The matters raised by the Mental Health Commission meant that it was not appropriate or viable for the centre to continue operating.
"It was identified that systems such as heating, electrics, fire safety, building fabric etc. are all beyond end of useful life and the premises is falling standards significantly. Issues that would remain unresolved in the Centre included inadequately sized residents’ bedrooms as well as a lack of social spaces, therapeutic spaces and essential staff support accommodation. It became clear that even with significant investment into the building, it would still not bring the unit up to an acceptable accommodation standard for residents.
"The decision not to proceed with refurbishment of the unit was made by HSE CHO in consultation with HSE Estates. The service continues to mitigate the risks associated with the current building.
"The priority has always been to ensure the health and safety, along with the will and preference of the residents, and to place their needs central in consideration of any action. The HSE continues to work with each resident individually and consult with their families to agree an appropriate alternative placement based on their assessed needs. Assessments with residents have been completed and consultation with families remains ongoing.
"Residents are moving on a phased basis and the work with each resident is on-going. Two of the residents’ current assessed needs are for nursing home care and the nine remaining residents assessed needs are indicating a reduced care need which could be met in a community residence with rehabilitative support.
"The HSE are currently sourcing a property and have located a detached house that has been identified as suitable in terms of layout size and location in the area. Funding has been sought and a bid has been submitted. The current assessment is that some of the residents of Owenacurra and other East Cork service users would be suitable for such a community residence service.
"A mental health day service is also located within the building, this has been temporarily suspended due to COVID. An interim arrangement is currently in place with ‘My Place in Midleton’. A one year lease has been agreed with Respond Housing Association, Midleton, less than 1km from Owenacurra and is expected to be open in the coming weeks. The longer-term plan is to provide the service at the redeveloped Midelton Community Hospital site.
"I have provided the HSE with €500,000 capital funding to assist with the reconfiguration of services associated with the Owenacurra premises.
"As service provider, the HSE has responsibility for delivery of mental health services and it would be inappropriate for myself and the department to interfere in this matter. However, I continue to regularly engage with the HSE to receive updates on the transfer of the remaining 11 residents to more suitable accommodation in the area, that will meet their individual requirements and to ensure individual care plans and therapeutic services and programmes are provided in line with best practice.
"Finally, can I stress again that of paramount importance in all dealings with this matter for me is that the will and preference, along with optimal care of the resident, and their desired outcome, is front and centre of all decisions taken in this matter. We have to constantly evolve and develop our mental health services to respond to modern approaches and regulatory requirements.
"I do hope that concerned members of the public will appreciate the sincere efforts of all concerned in this matter, who are ultimately endeavouring to provide best possible quality experience to the service users of this centre. Allowing them to remain indefinitely in an unfit for purpose and substandard building would be failing their needs.”