A Laois TD has slammed the shock announcement of a Laois mental health facility's cessation of admissions as 'stealthy closure', claiming that a reason the building falls below required standards is due to a lack of funding from the HSE.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Seán Fleming raised Rathdowney's Erkina House in the Dáil with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Mary Butler.

"The HSE is turning its back on Rathdowney and south County Laois. Its two facilities in Rathdowney, Erkina House and the health centre, have been starved of funds and investment, and this is resulting in a poorer health service at the expense of the people in Rathdowney and surrounding areas," Deputy Fleming said.

"This must stop now. We need investment in these facilities, not closures. There were 12 residents in Erkina House at that stage and the HSE, after that, announced the closure of this facility but subsequently publicly apologised to residents and their families for the unnecessary upset caused to them.

"All I can say is here we go again with the HSE. Now it says there will be no new admissions to Erkina House. This is closure by stealth. Three years ago, the HSE guaranteed that no residents would be moved out without their and their families' consent," he said.

"Very recently, I have had a family in contact with me, saying they were against their family member being moved out. If it is now happening, it can only be because the HSE has bullied them to accept the HSE's proposal," the Deputy claimed.

In 2022, Minister Mary Butler held the position of Minister for Older People, and told the Dáil that she had not been made aware of the initial plans to close down the facility until the matter was raised by local representatives and Laois media. Minister Butler fought the closure of Erkina House at that time.

This week, now Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler has acknowledged that the facility will no longer accept admissions, and that the relocation of existing patients will be very upsetting for them.

"I acknowledge the care and affection and immense mental health supports provided by the staff there. However, it is not the type of mental health facility we would build today. In that regard, there are documented issues with the configuration of the building as a mental health service," Deputy Butler replied to Deputy Fleming.

"The HSE has advised the Department that this property is not suitable for upgrade and adaptation, and, accordingly, no new admissions to Erkina House will be undertaken.

"The HSE has provided assurances to the Department as to the service provision being made for the existing residents to properly meet their needs. I will not go over these details on the floor of the Dáil because the number of people involved is so small that the individuals involved would be identifiable," she said.

Deputy Fleming responded that he 'fully understands' that the building does not meet the required safety standards, claiming that it is due to the HSE's 'failure' to invest and 'bring the facility up to a standard' over the years.

"There also is an acute shortage of respite beds in County Laois and many Laois people who have had surgery in hospitals locally and require short-term respite are regularly told to go to another county as the HSE does not have adequate respite facilities in County Laois," Deputy Fleming argued.

"The HSE should invest in its own respite facility rather than paying a fortune of taxpayers' hard-earned money to private nursing homes. As everyone is aware, two private nursing homes in Laois are already under investigation and monitoring in relation to various matters and as a result, we are short on respite beds in County Laois," he said.

The Deputy suggested Erkina House as a respite facility for the area, or a suitable location for the health centre in Rathdowney.

"I ask the HSE not to turn its back on Rathdowney, as it seems to be doing in the context of both Erkina House and the health centre," Deputy Fleming finished.

Deputy Butler responded that she 'understands the strength of Deputy Fleming's feelings'.

"I understand how difficult it is for residents who have lived in a facility that they will have to move away from for several reasons," she said.

"The Deputy has accepted that the building is no longer fit for purpose in the context of the provision of mental health supports. However, I hear him loud and clear in relation to the facility. On many occasions, the HSE has moved out of facilities and they have been left unused. I am very much of the view that every option should be explored," she said.

"I will make contact with the HSE in the region to see that all options are explored on the future use of the premises. I am conscious of the issues the Deputy raised in respect of the health centre."

Deputy Butler finished by stating that her priority is the safe and secure relocation of the existing residents and staff.

"Obviously, this can be a disruptive process for many people. I reiterate that I am happy to work with the Deputy to explore all options for the premises," she finished.

Erkina House has operated as a rehabilitation facility since 1996, with the capacity for 16 residents.  This capacity was reduced to 11 following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the Leinster Express / Laois Live reported that an HSE review found that the facility did not meet the required guidelines and would need a €5.3 million injection to achieve the necessary standard.

This followed a snap HSE decision in April 2022 to shut the facility and propose the relocation of patients to the Silver Lodge facility in Tullamore, which was later rejected.

Read more here.

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