Views of residents in Laois health facility deemed not fit for purpose must be heard insists Laois Minister

An expert report on a Rathdowney facility for people with long-term mental health needs can not be read in isolation from the views of residents and where they want to live.

That's the opinion of Laois TD and Minister of State Sean Fleming in response to a HSE commissioned architect’s report in the condition of Erkina House and whether it serves the needs of the people housed there in line with best practice.

The leaked report found that the building 'fundamentally' does not comply with guidelines designed to help overcome barriers to independent living experienced by people diagnosed with certain mental health conditions. 

To bring it up to standard, the HSE, which wants to close it down, has been told that an estimated €5.3 million would have to be spent on refurbishment and new extensions to the landmark property which was a Convent prior to becoming a Community Residence in 1996.

The architect's assessment report submitted to the HSE was prepared by Fitzgibbon McGinley Architects Ltd. It says the report was prepared to assess the compliance of Erkina house against the recommendations contained in the HSE Housing Design Guidelines “Design for Mental Health” published in 2016.

Minister for State Fleming has to date opposed the closure and relocation of the residents to Silver Lodge Tullamore. He still maintains people are happy living there.

"In all HSE facilities and especially in Erkina House the most important element to take into consideration is the needs of residents and the quality support provided to them by the staff.

"The well-being of residents and the fact that they are happy and comfortable in Erkina House has been confirmed by members of their families whom I have spoken to recently and they praised the love, care, and attention the staff give to the residents.

"As part of the overall review of this situation, the architect’s report is an important input into this issue, but this report was drafted purely by looking at the building and no residents or staff were spoken to in relation to the drafting of this report," he said.

He believes the view of patients is contained in another report commissioned after the HSE was forced into a review in 2022 after local objects and the intervention of the Minister responsible Mary Butler.

"Separately, there is a report being prepared by an organisation called Quality Matters.  I understand work has been completed and this involved speaking to all the stakeholders involved including the residents families, staff and Public Representatives.  It is important that we see this report soon as this will have very important information as to the quality of the service being provided.

"I look forward to receiving the Quality Matters Report and then taking into account both reports to see what the best options are to continue to excellent quality of care provided to the residents in Erkina House," concluded the Fianna Fáil TD.

€5.3 mill to overhaul Laois health facility found to 'fundamentally' not comply with guidelines

The HSE decided in April 2022 that it wanted to shut Erkina House and relocate patietnts to the Silver Lodge facility in Tullamore which itself has been criticised by the Mental Health Commission.

The HSE said last year that prior to Covid-19, residents lived in shared dormitory-style bedrooms. In 2020, the bed capacity in Erkina House went from 17 to 11 residents.

The building is understood to date to the 1800s.